Playing together for the fifth year in succession in the ‘Just.’ Open Pairs Championship, Mark Dawes and Jamie Chestney produced a powerhouse finish from the seventh end of the first set to run out 8-5, 9-4 winners against young Scots duo Jason Banks and Connor Milne.
World Under 25 holder Banks and Milne – the reigning Scottish National Singles champion, got off to the perfect start and held a 5-2 advantage at the sixth end. However the strong English twosome of former World Indoor Singles Champion Dawes and world ranked 14 Chestney, romped home with three doubles to take first blood 8-5.
They continued their dominant form in the second set, scoring on the first six ends to take a convincing 9-0 lead and were happy to concede doubles to put the result beyond doubt at 9-4 with an end to spare.
“They played really well in the opening stages. We weren’t quite on form but weren’t playing badly. However we stuck to our task and turned the set around in our favour.
“In the second set we were pretty solid and overall were happy with our game. It was just a bit odd playing to an empty arena, but we maintained a focus and just got on with the job in hand.
“Our quarter final match against Mark Royal and Rob Paxton tomorrow evening (Sunday 9th) should be a good one – it’s been a long year without bowls so we’re just looking forward to getting another game under our belt and hopefully a passage into the semis”.
“JUST” World Open Pairs
Round One
Mark Dawes and Jamie Chestney (Eng) bt Jason Banks and Connor Milne (Sco) 8-5, 9-4
Report by Anne Dunwoodie (WBT Press Officer)