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Final of NZ Open doubles – best of three between Michael Wright (NZ) & Ian Lines (GB) vs Stephen Mulliner (GB) and Mike Jenner (Aust). Started at 2pm on Lawn 6 at United. Lawns about 10 seconds with a few faster patches. Warm lovely sunshine, bit cool in the shade.
Game 1:
SM&MJ won toss.
Turn 1: EB
Turn 2: Duffer
Turn 3: Misses partner from end of A baulk
Turn 4: Wright misses duffer by fraction, Charles is not impressed.
Turn 5: Mulliner to 4back with diagonal spread giving huge target from western ball at peg ball and EB balls.
Turn 6: Lines hits 14 yard double from peg at oppos. Goes to 4back with a spread.
Turn 7: Jenner lifts ball from peg, misses short shot.
For several turns Wright attempts to approach hoop1 and Jenner misses a lot. Jenner then hits in and fails to approach 1 and Lines hits in.
Wright goes to the peg with a spread.
Oppos missed a defensive shot into corner 4.
Lines finishes.

Wright and Lines win game 1 26-9

Game 2:
Turn 1: Lines to EB
Turn 2: Mulliner duffer 2 yards S of penult
Turn 3: Wright hits EB ball, roll across to get a good rush to 1. Fails to approach 1 from south boundary.  Leaves ball mid lawn ish.
Turn 4: Jenner misses.
Turn 5: Lines to 4back with a spread
Turn 6: Mulliner missed short shot by a smidge
Turn 7: Wright fails to approach 1 again, joins partner behind 2
Turn 8: Mulliner misses partner from 1 to 4.
Turn 9: Wright fails to get started and retires to partner near 2.
Turn 10: oppos miss
Turn 11: Wright establishes a break, fails rover from nowhere.
Turn 12: Mulliner sticks in 5 having planned to peel Michael through Rover and concede contact to Lines on 4back.
Turn 13: Lines makes 4back and penult, rover peel overhit sending peelee off the lawn.
Turn 14: Mulliner fails 2back after a poor approach.
Turn 15: Wright finishes. (about 6pm).

Wright and Lines win 26-7 to take their first NZ Open Doubles title.

The format used this year, Draw and Process with an informal consolation event was designed to ensure a pair was not eliminated with only one loss. However, the format seemed unpopular with many players who preferred a more block-oriented format with many guaranteed games for all players which can in some way influence the main event. The players' meeting on Friday night will discuss future event formats. Lines and Wright, however, seem very happy tonight.

Regards to all,

Jenny