Tauranga players first and second in National Pairs!

Huge congratulations to Tauranga pair Rachelle Pelkman and Nick Jacob for taking out the National Pairs held at our club this weekend. And in second place, less than 1 percent behind, was Nick's wife Ella Jacob and her partner Geo Tislevoll from Akarana. They were able to hold off Michael Ware and Malcolm Mayer who were only 0.2% behind.

After two sessions Rachelle and Nick held a commanding lead, a full 7% ahead of Claire Miao and Wayne Burrows who eventually finished the tournament in 4th. 20 boards later and the end of the first day saw them still ahead but the margin had been reduced to 2.8% and it was now Ella and her partner Geo snapping at the heels of her husband.

But on day 2 disaster struck. By the end of the morning session Nick was forced to head home due to illness. Although that session result was their lowest so far in the tournament it was still a respectable 54.4% and saw them still holding the lead but now only 1% ahead.

Nick's mother Steph stepped up to take Nick's place for the final session of 20 boards. One minute she was babysitting the grandkids, next minute she was thrown into the lead position in the National Pairs with an unfamiliar partner and I'm sure not a lot of time for a system discussion! As you know her and Rachelle managed to hold their nerve and a 51% was enough for them to hold on to take the overall win. Talk about going above and beyond the call of babysitting duty!

So well done Rachelle and the three Jacob's!

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