Victoria duo Ray Martin and Richard Corry’s run at the National Open Pairs Championship in Auckland ended in the semifinals going down to the Thames Valley pairing of Karl Garrett and Colin Gawith. Rich and Ray had earlier ended the title hopes of 1985 victor Maurice Symes and 2014 champion Tony Grantham in emphatic fashion, 19-8 in the quarterfinals.
On Sunday, Ray and Richard edged a thrilling solo-point encounter opposite the Australian-based former internationals Richard Girvan and Chris Le Lievre, with Martin’s determination paying dividends to collect a final end four-count and win an extra end to keep their title hopes alive.
In the women’s pairs quarterfinals Leigh Griffin and daughter Kirsten Edwards went down to Te Atatu Peninsula pairing of Marion Hakaraia and Robyn Reihana.