James Martin and Andrew Heaume proved once again they take some stopping when it comes to pairs bowling.
The Canalside duo lifted the Meltham Cup title for the second time together when taking a nip-and-tuck final against Robert Dyson and Richard Hopley of Longwood 21-20 at Outlane.
Victorious back in 2009, Martin and Heaume found a successful mark in only the second end of the competition, sponsored by DH Jones Development, and it helped them take home the winners’ cheque of £200.
Heaume, who also won the Meltham Cup Pairs with Michael Martin in 2012 at Paddock CBC, explained: “We know what to expect when it comes to pairs and we know that the luck can be with you and then against you.
“In the final we went 8-2 down with a lot of handicap to pull back, but then we got on the mark which had helped us win the first two matches and we moved out to 18-13 up.
“They got back in and played really well off a mark which just took us out of the game, but James then played a real one to get us back in and we went back to the mark and got the win, but all credit to Robert and Richard for the way they played – it was really close.”
In the first round, the Canalside pair beat Liam Fallas and Gary Siswick of Crosland Moor to nine, before knocking out Dave and Danny Walker of Moldgreen 21-14 in the semi-finals.
“It was very tricky at Outlane and when we played Liam and Gary, we got on this falling mark from the second end and they just couldn’t find a length,” said Heaume.
“It was much the same against the Walkers, who were playing the short marks really well, so we knew we had to lengthen them.
“Once we got on the mark again, they struggled for a length as well and we were able to go through. Gary had said after the first match that that mark would win us the competition, and he was right.”
Next on the agenda for both players is helping Canalside continue to mount a challenge in the Slawit & Golcar Cars Huddersfield League Subscription Cup.
Individually, Martin is targeting the finals of the Marsh United £1400 Competition and the Liberal Merit, while Heaume has his sights on landing the Mirfield Merit on Sunday, July 27, after twice being a losing semi-finalists in that event.
“It’s at Old Bank, and I play for them on a Tuesday, so I’m hoping to make the most of being on my home green,” said Heaume.
“I’m hoping I can play really well and go one or two better than I have in the past.
“Beyond that, I’m hoping next season to get back in the Yorkshire set-up.
“They lost their last match against Warwick and Worcester despite playing really well, so I’m hoping next season to be back in either as reserve or playing. That would be good.”
First round: SD and D Walker (Moldgreen, 3) 21 R and R Walsh (Lockwood Con, 4) 10, L Fallas and G Siswick (Crosland Moor, 3) 9 J Martin and A Heaume (Canalside, 2) 21, R Cox and T Brook (Lockwood Con, 3) 19 A Cairns and M Sweeney (Canalside, 1) 21, P Kain and M Fisher (Lockwood Con, 3) 14 R Dyson and R Hopley (Longwood, 4) 21.
Semi-finals: Walker and Walker 14 Martin and Heaume 21, Cairns and Sweeney 18 Dyson and Hopley 21.
Final: Martin and Heaume 21 Dyson and Hopley 20.
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