Crowther and Campbell win mixed pairs

Jul 23 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DONALD CROWTHER and Tanya Campbell celebrated after winning the Huddersfield Liberal League Mixed Pairs title

The Almondbury Liberal Club pairing, who were playing off a handicap, beat Steve McMahon and Jane Armitage, of Linthwaite CBC, 21-12 in the Almondbury Liberal Club-staged final, who also sponsored the event.

In the quarter-finals, there were some very close games and the eventual winners Crowther and Campbell had a tough first game to beat their clubmates Geoff Martin and Pamela Haynes 21-19 after Crowther and Campbell had been 19-9 up at one stage.

Last year’s runners-up, father and daughter combination Ian and Tania Smith, just lost out 21-20 to McMahon and Armitage.

Husband and wife team John and Karen Gant beat brother and sister pairing Graham Whitehouse and Julie Robson 21-16.

While the title holders, another brother and sister combination Neil Jones and Hazel Lunn, beat Gareth McMahon and Ruth Abbott 21-17.

With Gareth being the son of finalist Steve McMahon, the Liberal Mixed Pairs final was a real family affair this year.

In the semis McMahon and Armitage held off Jones and Lunn 21-18 in a gruelling two-hour game, while Crowther and Campbell had a great tussle with John and Karen Gant, just holding on to win 21-20.

The final was a fairly one-sided affair with Donald and Tanya racing to a 12-1 lead but Steven and Jane fought back to reduce the deficit to 18-12.

But it proved too late, however, as the advantage of home green knowledge and two previous tough rounds told and the 2002 and 2003 winners ran out to a 21-12 victory and claimed a third mixed pairs title.

Liberal League secretary and final day competitor Geoff Martin presented the prizes and the £120 winner’s cheque to the champions.

Quarter-finals: G McMahon and R Abbott (Linthwaite) 17 N Jones and H Lunn (Almondbury Lib) 21, E I Smith and T M Smith (Marsh Lib) 20 S McMahon and J Armitage (Linthwaite) 21, D Crowther and T Campbell (Almondbury Lib) 21 G Martin and P Haynes (Almondbury Lib) 19, J Gant and K.Gant (Meltham Lib) 21 G Whitehouse and J Robson (Marsh Lib) 16.

Semi-finals: N Jones and H Lunn (Almondbury Lib) 18 S McMahon and J Armitage (Linthwaite) 21, D Crowther and T Campbell (Almondbury Lib) 21 J Gant and K Gant (Meltham Lib) 20.

Final: S McMahon and J Armitage (Linthwaite) 12 D Crowther and T Campbell (Almondbury Lib) 21.

Milnsbridge A are still undefeated in Section B of the Huddersfield Liberal League, while Primrose Hill and Almondbury B battling for second place.

In the top flight Lindley A have gone 10 points clear from Cowcliffe but Linthwaite, in third, have a game in hand.

Results and positions are: