Congratulations to Kirsten and Leigh Griffin for coming runner-up in the National Championship Pairs at the Burnside club in Canterbury on Monday.
In the women’s pairs final between Mandy and Angela Boyd from Burnside and Leigh and Kirsten Griffen (Victoria) the game was close from the start. Neither team could make a break until the 16th end when the Boyds, playing on their home green, scored a four. They then went on to defend the title they won last year on Auckland’s North Shore 17-10.
The scores were level at 5-5 after seven ends and 10-10 after 14 ends. The Boyds then took control to score a two, four and one on the next three ends to win the game. Ironically these two teams now join forces to play in the fours tomorrow.
The Griffins had to go to an extra end to beat Sandra Keith and Serena Matthews (Canterbury) 22-19 in the semifinal, but gunned down Australians Chloe Stewart and Donna Clarke 22-14 to clinch their quarterfinal on Sunday.
Kelsey Cottrell (Australia) beat last year’s champion Leigh Griffin 21-9 in the quarterfinal of the singles after defending champion Leigh had earlier beaten 16-year-old Raglan and New Zealand Development player Ashleigh Jeffcoat 21-19. Leigh remains a good chance to retain her player of the tournament title she won last year.