Barry Lowden and Tony Whitehouse took the trophy at the Hawcoat Park Open Pairs, sponsored by Schofield Construction, after outclassing the Walney pairing of Chris Irvine and Zach Walker 21-8 in last Sunday's final.

The day was threatened by showers, but fortunately everyone managed to stay dry, albeit a bit cool at times.

In the earlier rounds, the losing finalists had seen off the challenge of David Bell and Richard Hall, the home pairing of Colin Knipe and Jim Bawden, Mike Askew and Ken Knowles from Askam in the quarter finals and the Glaxo duo of Derek Bell and Steve Viney in the semis.

In the other half of the draw, played on the No.1 green, Lowden and Whitehouse had also avoided the prelims, but from a strong field of 40 pairs, the eventual winners conquered Tony Gooding and Gareth Brunton and Roy Moxham and Mike Fieldhouse in the early rounds.

They then defeated home green bowlers, and last year's beaten finalists, Geoff Maudsley and Ken Judge in the quarters, after which they met up with one half of last year's winning combination with Andy Thornton partnering Lakes bowler Paul Kissock, in a closely fought semi final.

The King Alfred pairing continued their excellent form and tactical play in the final, and with Irvine and Walker carrying no luck in going through countless gaps, opened up with four chalks and continued to a comfortable win.

The Hawcoat Park Bowling Club would like to thank sponsors Schofield Construction, all the competitors for an excellent day of bowls, the ladies for providing the refreshments, and all markers, measurers and supporters without which these events could not take place.

Results

Quarter finals: A Thornton & P Kissock 21 K Roebuck & M Coulter 10, G Maudsley & K Judge 18 B Lowden & T Whitehouse 21, C Irvine & Z Walker 21 M Askew & K Knowles 17, S Ashburn & A Milliard 18 D Bell & S Viney 21

Semi-finals: A Thornton & P Kissock 18 B Lowden & T Whitehouse 21, C Irvine & Z Walker 21 D Bell & S Viney 15

Final: B Lowden & T Whitehouse 21 C Irvine & Z Walker 8.