PETE Davenport and Jim Bracken proved too sharp for their opponents to win the Hart Crown Green Bowling Club’s annual Needles doubles tournament.
A record number of 14 pairs competed for the title as reigning champions Dave Mahaffey and Cameron Cutler, Dave Kings and Mike Estell and Tony and Penny Moore all recovered to win 21-20 in their first round matches.
That meant Gill Croft and Mick Perrins, Steve Jones and Ray Barnett and Malcolm Bird and Mike Hancock all exited the competition at the first hurdle.
However, Mahaffey and Cutler eased to a 21-9 against Ashley Beeston and Matt Higgs in the first quarter-final before the Moore’s defeated Roger Broome and Matt Talbot 21-12.
Davenport and Bracken impressed to beat Kings and Estell 21-5 whilst Neil Laxton and Sheila Humphreys edged out former winners Kirk Wright and John Meredith by a 21-18 scoreline.
And Davenport and Bracken pulled clear with some excellent corner bowling to knock out defending champions Mahaffey and Cutler 21-14 to advance to the final.
They were joined by the Moore’s who were in control from the outset in a comfortable 21-6 victory against Laxton and Humphreys
The final proved a close affair in the opening few ends before Davenport and Bracken showed their class to triumph 21-10 and secure the title with the Moore’s runners-up.
Elsewhere, two of the club’s A teams progressed in cup competitions as the Redditch side beat Wythall A 155-118 in the Kendrick Cup.
Captain Graham Arnott (21-7) led by example and was supported by Hancock, Estell, Davenport and Mahaffey (all 21-13) whilst debutant Jim Mahaffey won 21-18 and Laxton triumphed 21-20.
Hart will play Rubery Sheldon in the last 16.
And Hart A proved too strong for Hall Green B in the SW Birminghsm and District League Cup with the latter side only able to field five bowlers.
Wins for Laxton, Arnott, Steve Lediard and Wright secured the Redditch club’s place in the last 32 of the competition where they will face Olton Tavern A.
