The annual Children In Need charity Doubles competition was contested by thirteen pairs on Friday night and once again a most enjoyable evening ensued. Customary pie, chips, peas and gravy was a finishing line snack for all but the finalists, who gave their supper half an hour to digest before going back on court for the 15 minute final, whilst all had along the way taken the opportunity of free drinks to quench their thirst.

	Left to right, Michael Hetherington (r/up), Mith Parr (Winner), Graham Robinson (organiser), Owen Barrett (Winner), David Hetherington (r/up)

It would appear that whoever counted up the points at the end of all the games had too much of the free drinks on offer as both the finalists were not the two highest points winners throughout the night. Still it's nice to see the youngsters having a good time beating their older adversaries, and the trophy has been inscribed now so that's that, until next year!

The clubs thanks go out to all the players who took part, especially those playing in their first, of what is hoped to be many doubles competitions to come. A lot of the 'old stagers' were paired up as in previous years and as the night progressed their understanding became apparent. Graham Robinson and Jimmy Irving unfortunately had to withdraw part way through the evening following a message to say that Jims wife had had an accident at home (best wishes to you both), and the allure of a hot shower and more free drinks, not to mention the soon to arrive 'feast of food' hastened Dave Mc Dowell and Nick Jeffrey's departure.

This left 11 pairs to contend for the silverware. Bringing up the rear were Ian Kelly and Steve Walker, and Leigh Conway and the Rev Peter Turnbull with a win and a drawn game out of their curtailed series of games, closely followed by Alan Clements and John Messenger, and Gordon Thompson and Mark Fox who managed 2 wins and a draw in their matches. Barbara Telfer, a late replacement and our only lady entry, added a bit of glamour to her pairing with Phil Mc Straw and they managed a healthy 5 wins out of 11 games to finish mid-table. Just ahead of those two were Brian Atherton and his last minute partner Peter Sempill who claimed 6 victories, just 'pipped' by Simon Pugh and his protégé Stuart Bramley who managed 6 wins and a draw for 13 points.

The top 4 pairs were serial winners of this competition, either as pairs playing together here or with other partners previously, and some seriously good doubles squash gave those watching a treat. Previous winners David and Michael Hetherington were again in action and out of their 10 games they won 7 and drew 2, for a 16 point total. Jake Musson and Paul Stewart also previous winners were joint top of the score sheet with 17 points, the same as last years' winners Andrew Kelly and John Crichton, both pairs winning 8 games and drawing 1. (How they were all denied their place in the final is anyone's guess?) Finishing with 19 points on the score sheet from their 9 games played were the two youngsters of the competition Owen Barrett and Mitchell Parr, with 8 wins and 1 draw. This gave them 17 points and mysteriously they were awarded 2 points for a game not played! Somehow they played the 15 minute final against David and Mike Hetherington!

The Final was a close affair with nothing in it either way until the final couple of minutes when Owen and Mitch were gifted a few cheap points as Dave and Mike tried to force a win, this resulted in a victory for the youngsters 25 points to 21, and concluded the evening's entertainment, except that is for those who availed themselves of a few more drinks in the bar.

More pairs are welcome next year, as this is truly the best social competition of the whole season, alongside the fact that large amounts of cash are generated for such a worthy cause, Children In Need. Next year also, a mathematician is required, no particular requirement other than knowing you one and two times table!