2025 Podium Open Para Pairs Results
The first Podium Open event of 2025 was contested at Balgay Bowling Club on Saturday 10th May, with 21 teams competing in the Para Pairs competition.
The 21 teams were separated into three groups consisting of four teams and three groups consisting of three teams, with the six group winners automatically advancing to the International Assessment Weekend in June.
James Dick and Ross Noble finished in top spot in Group A courtesy of their two wins and one defeat. James and Ross defeated the pairings of Stuart Chesby & Andrew Fleming and Andrew Shea & Stuart Sloan. Their only loss came against Billy Allan & Fergus Black, who also won two of their three respective group matches and narrowly missed out on qualification on shot difference.
Group B was won by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Melanie Inness and her partner John Miller. Their two victories came against Sylvia Johnstone & Paul Sharp and Crystal Roberts & Amy Buck.
Mark Fleming and Stuart Stevens went undefeated across their three matches to win Group C. Fresh from their win over Ireland in the recent Para Test Match, Mark and Stuart overcame the teams of Shaizad Hussain & Duncan Stewart, Mary Stevenson & Gary Hinks and Cat Black & Charles Jones. All other three pairings delivered respectable performances to each secure one victory throughout the day.
In Group D, it was Ross MacHardie and Keith Smith who proved victorious. Ross and Keith fought hard to see off the challenge of Craig Robertson & Alex Paterson and Laura Cluxton & Daniel Meikle in one of the closest groups in the competition.
Robert Barr and Garry Brown proved to be too strong in Group E, maintaining a 100% winning record across their three contests. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallists were in top form to get the better of John Wardrope & Lee Mitchell, Ross Young & Nevil Cunningham and Mary Wilson & Pauline Wilson, who all clinched one victory apiece during the event.
Last but not least, Group F was dominated by Fraser Mathieson and Steve Key. Fraser and Steve produced two accomplished displays to defeat Danny Porter & Michael Simpson and William Nicoll & Mike Nicoll and finish in first position.
A huge thanks to Balgay Bowling Club for hosting Saturday’s event as well as all the assessors, umpires, directors and volunteers that helped make the Podium Open Para Pairs happen.
To view the full results from the Podium Open Para Pairs, please click here.