This Sunday saw fourteen teams of triples compete at Stevenage in the National Qualifiers/County triples competition. We all arrived nice and early to get the mats out and be ready for an 09.00 start. The first stage saw two groups of five teams and one group of four play each other over four games. In order for group three to play four games this meant playing one team twice which was decided by a quick draw before playing commenced. All games were played over nine ends.
The round robin stage finished at approximately 14.00. Once Darren had checked all the scorecards we had our eight quarter finalists. These were the top two from each group and the two highest runners up.
Quarter Finals
On mat five we had Audrey Fowler, Sue Knight and Brian Fowler playing Angie Baird, Barry Thorogood and Val Thorogood. At the end of nine ends Angie, Barry and Val were through to the Semi-finals 16 – 0.
On mat six we had Alan Spicer, Martin Nash and Brian McGivern playing Wendy Hunt, Jan Rogers and Darren Brown. At the end of nine ends it was all square at six all. An extra end was played, Alan, Martin and Brian held on for a single and the second place in the Semi-finals.
On mat seven we had Trevor Knight, Michelle Conlon and Neil Rixon playing Andrew Miles, Margaret Hare and Alan Hare. After nine ends Trevor, Michelle and Neil had their place in the Semi-finals winning 14 – 3.
On mat eight we had Jeff Branch, Dennis Mack and Darren Stanford playing Bev Stevenson, Julia Bruce and Mark Spalding. When the ninth end was over it was Bev, Julia and Mark that had the win at 16 – 7 and took the last spot in the Semi-finals.
Semi-finals
Semi-final one was played on mat one. We had Trevor, Michelle and Neil playing Alan, Martin and Brian. Alan, Martin and Brian started with a single, Trevor, Michelle and Neil pulled in front with a double only to see Alan, Martin and Brian take a second single to make it all square at two all after three ends. Trevor, Michelle and Neil then took the lead with a second double and followed that with a triple. Alan, Martin and Brian took a single on end six which Trevor, Michelle and Neil matched on end seven to maintain their five-shot lead. Alan, Martin and Brian then held a double on the penultimate end to reduce their deficit to three shots. In a hard fought last end Trevor, Michelle and Neil held on for a single and a win through to the final at 9 – 5.
Semi-final two was played on mat four. We had Bev, Julia and Mark playing Angie, Barry and Val. Bev, Julia and Mark started with a double. Angie, Barry and Val took a single, they then drew level with a second and took the lead with a third. Bev, Julia and Mark took the lead back on end five with a triple. They then increased their lead with two further singles. End eight saw Angie, Barry and Val hold a double to reduce Bev, Julia and Mark’s lead to 7 – 5. The last end saw Mark’s bowl roll in for a single and the second place in the final with a score of 8 – 5.
Third/Fourth playoff
The third/Fourth playoff was held on mat three. Alan, Martin and Brian started with a single which Angie, Barry and Val matched on end two. Alan, Martin and Brian then held a second single but this time Angie, Barry and Val took the lead with a four and reinforced their position with a second single on end five. Alan, Martin and Brian went into overdrive and took the lead at 8 – 6 with a hotshot six. They followed this with a double and finished on a four to take the third place at 14 – 6.
The Final
The Final took place on mat two. Trevor, Michelle and Neil started with a single and followed this with a double. Bev, Julia and Mark took a single on end three and followed this with a second on end four. Trevor, Michelle and Neil came straight back on end five for a single. Bev, Julia and Mark matched this on end six giving Trevor, Michelle and Neil a one-shot lead. End seven saw Trevor, Michelle and Neil hold a double for a 6 – 3 lead with two ends to play. Bev, Julia and Mark reduced the gap by taking a double on the penultimate end. The last end saw Bev, Julia and Mark take the lead and the trophy with a final triple, the highest scoring end of the Final giving them a two-shot margin at 8 – 6.
Our 2025 Triples County Champions
Bev Stevenson, Julia Bruce and Mark Spalding
Runners up: Trevor Knight, Michelle Conlon and Neil Rixon
3rd Place: Alan Spicer, Martin Nash and Brian McGivern
4th Place Angie Baird, Barry Thorogood and Val Thorogood
How many places we get allocated for the nationals will not be known until January. We will definitely get two places but could easily get three or four. We will just have to wait and see.
Can we please all say thank you to Darren Stanford our Competition Organiser and to Rebbeca Nightingale. They both worked tirelessly throughout the day making sure that this event run smoothly.