First centre title to Gisborne's Davy

MIXED PAIRS FINALISTS: Finalists in the Gisborne-East Coast mixed pairs championships are (from left), Bobbie Beattie, David Beattie, Beverly Davy and Robin Jefferson. Davy and Jefferson won 13-10. Picture supplied

BEVERLY Davy celebrated her breakthrough open centre title when she combined with Robin Jefferson in the Gisborne-East Coast 2-4-2 mixed pairs championship on the Gisborne club greens.

Gisborne club captain Davy and centre president Jefferson did just enough as they topped a field of 26 teams in the popular centre tournament.

It was a first open centre crown for Davy and the 56th for Jefferson.

There were several standout combinations in the field and probably 10 would have fancied their chances.

Pairs had to qualify by winning enough games to make the top 16. Those who did not qualify had the opportunity to play in a consolation competition.

Many games were close, and the field was eventually whittled down to semifinalists Glenys Whiteman and Murray Duncan, David and Bobbie Beattie, Dayvinia Mills and Mick Maunder, and Jefferson and Davy.

The Beatties beat Whiteman and Duncan 12-8, while Jefferson and Davy scratched an 8-7 win against Maunder and Mills by gaining a three on the last end.

A close finalThe final was always close.

Jefferson and Davy led 9-8 with three ends to play.

An upshot by David Beattie went Jefferson’s way, and he pounced with his last bowl to take three shots for a lead of 12-8 with two ends to play.

The Beattie pair responded by collecting two on the 11th end to make it 12-10 going into the last.

Things didn’t look good but Davy — with her last bowl — played the bowl of the tournament.

She drew the shot cold, hiding the jack and scoring bowl behind some short bowls.

David Beattie tried to dislodge the front bowls and drove with his second.

Jefferson was relieved not to have to play his last bowl, 13-10 being the final score.

This was Davy’s first open centre title and she was duly rewarded with the centre badge and ribbon to go with her success.

Jefferson and Davy will represent Gisborne-East Coast in the regional playoffs against Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Manawatu in early April.

The winners advance to the New Zealand club championships in Auckland later that month.

The GEC mixed pairs plate was won by Jeff and Joy Davis, who defeated Francie Adair and Alastair Macpherson 10-9 — a good result for the Davis duo.

Bob McIlroy and Adrienne Smiler won the consolation.

Thanks go to the Gisborne club, the umpires and recorders for seeing this event through.

The next centre event is the Peace Shield for men and the Ella Gibson women's fours.