LOCAL pair Peter Slinger and Janet Monk won the newly-promoted Feniscowles Open Mixed Doubles competition sponsored by Darwen Eye Centre.

The champions had to overcome some formidable teams to win the trophy.

Indeed, the final with Frank and Jean Jolley from Preston, was a memorable contest.

For over a dozen ends it was nip and tuck with only a couple of brace scored throughout the first half.

Peter and Janet led 10-7 but Frank and Joan overtook them at 11-10. But the champions responded to take a slender lead again and for the following eight ends held the advantage until 16-15.

Again the Preston duo fought back and went 18-16 in front and held jack.

However, Peter and Janet reduced the deficit and then scored the solitary triple of the game and followed up with a single for a great finish 21-18.

The champions had met J Kendall and A Brindle in the quarter-final who had a golden opportunity when they led 19-9.

But a remarkable run of 12 without reply in six ends overturned a desperate situation for Peter and Janet, 21-19.

The result certainly gave them confidence for the semi-final with B and M Riley. But after trailing 8-7, the champions quickly swept clear to lead 13-8 before winning 21-10.

The runners-up reached the final by defeating J Pimrick and D Kendall in a match that lasted just 18 ends.

There were several big scores of triples and even a full house four by Pimrick and Kendall who led 19-16 before Frank and Joan's five-break clinched it 21-19.

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