Northern Bridge League

The club was very pleased to host the second round of the B division of the inter-county teams of eight on 29th August. Teams from eight counties took part, representing North East, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Westmorland, Cheshire and Merseyside, North Wales, Manchester and Lancashire.

Members of the club provided a lovely buffet meal which was much appreciated by all players, particularly those who had travelled some distance. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to ensure that the day was a success, especially to Annabel for overseeing yet another outside event on behalf of the club.

The Lancashire team did very well, finishing in first place.

This year, Paul Hepworth and John Brearley are playing for the A division, Dagmar Fazackerley, Brian Ripley and Barrie Newall for the B division, and Pauline Holden, Robin Atkinson, Judy Brearley and Dave Pendlebury for the C division.

Championship Pairs

In February, the club hosted the Lancashire Championship Pairs competition which is the qualifying event for the Corwen Trophy, the national inter-county pairs championship. The afternoon session was the qualifier and in the evening were the championship final of seven tables and a consolation final of seven tables. Only the first four pairs in the championship final qualified to play in the national final to be held in the Midlands.

Congratulations to John Brearley, who, with his partner Ross Shine, qualified to represent Lancashire for the second year in succession. Other Blackburn players competing were Dave Pendlebury and Judy Brearley, Barrie and Julia Newall (both pairs qualifying for the main final), Lynn and Paul Hepworth, Ken Renno and Brian Ripley, and Dave Briggs with his partner David Bowyer from Brierfield. 

Thanks go to all members of the club who helped to provide the excellent buffet meal and who worked hard to ensure that the whole day was a success.

***John and Ross played very well in the national final in May to finish 15th out of 103 pairs.

Tollemache

Paul Hepworth and John Brearley, playing with their respective partners Richard Bentley and Ross Shine, have been selected for the second year in succession to represent Lancashire in the Tollemache, the national inter-county teams of eight competition. We wish them well for the qualifying round in November.

***Sadly Lancashire did not qualify for the final this year.

Pearse McNamara Trophy

Dave Pendlebury again captained the Lancashire team for the annual Lancashire/Cumbria match which was held in Lytham in July. Other team members were Judy Brearley, Pauline Holden,  Robin Atkinson, Barrie and Julia Newall.

Sadly, Lancashire lost this year.