DURSLEY duo Brian Burleigh and Keith Hinder have reached the final of the Gloucestershire BA Pairs competition.

They made a dream start in their semi-final at Moreton in Marsh Bowls Club against Derek Hayward and Kevin Griffiths (British Aeroplane Company and BAWA respectively) as they picked up a seven on the second end, however their opponents then won six of the next eight ends to draw level after 10 ends at 9-9.

The game changer came on the 11th end when the Dursley pair scored a five and then went onto win the next five ends to lead 20-9.

They confirmed their place in the final with a three and a single to win 26-11.

Dave Howes (Stroud) reached the final for the third year running along with partner John Heathcote, who last season was beaten in the semi-final, ironically by Howes when playing for Wotton.

This time around against the pairing of John Smallwood and Paul Bryant (Olveston), they went behind early on 5-1 and then began to build up a healthy lead with a run of eight consecutive ends that saw them take a 16-5 lead.

Despite losing the next three ends they finished up with a flurry of three twos and a single to cement their place in the final with a 23-8 win.