Eight pairs were due to compete in the Wilts doubles with the favourites being last year’s winners Rob Brady and John Peirce; but with some serious competition this year with Adam Giles/Tony Thompson and Stefan Stanton /Mike Stannard.  However a few changes and we were down to 7 pairs on the day. Tony retiring injured and being replaced by Josh Watkins.   These were split into a pool of 4 and a pool of 3.  The 4 pool playing best of 3 upto 15 and the other pool best of 5 games upto 1.  The standard of the doubles is going up each year and this year was no exception.

Pool A

Rob Brady / John Peirce, Gary Preston / Rob Camden and Mike Stannard / Stefan Stanton 

Pool B

Adam Giles / Tony Thompson replaced by Josh after first match, Nev Buckle / Dave Ridgway, Martin Hill / Dean Watkins and Tessa Perry / Martin Healey

The pools didn’t really throw up any surprises with the expected pairings making it to the semi finals.  The toughest match in the pools being Brady / Peirce v Stannard /Stanton; with Brady / Peirce just edging it 3/2.

The semis threw up two great doubles matches and one big surprise; with Ridgway and Buckle defeating the previous year’s winners 3/0.  The other semi between Giles / Watkins and Stannard / Stanton was a superb match; with some serious hard hitting and tactical changes during the match.  Giles / Josh eventually losing 3/2 to Stannard / Stanton.

The final was a good match but I think one match too far for the nearly men Ridgway / Buckle who were a little overpowered by Stanton/ Stannard.  Stanton just seemed to be everywhere and hit some outrageous nicks to win a comfortable 3/0 winner….

Results

Name		A	B	C	Position
Rob Brady / John Peirce	A		3	3	1
Gary Preston / Rob Camden	B	0		2	3
Mike Stannard / Stefan Stanton	C	2	3		2

Name		A	B	C	D	Position
Adam Giles / Josh Watkins	A		2	2	2	1
Nev Buckle / Dave Ridgway	B	1		2	2	2
Martin Hill / Dean Watkins	C	0	0		0	4
Tessa Perry / Martin Healey	D	0	0	2		3