THE DUO of Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs hold the key to any national indoor success at North Wilts this season in non-team events, writes DAVE EATON.

Winners of the ladies national pairs championship in 2010 and national fours title with Carole Grenfell and Janet Hardie in 2008, Cooke and Jacobs have qualified for no fewer than four Area 30 finals this time around, which all have to be played by January 25.

Cooke and Jacobs combined earlier this week on Monday with Jean Collier as lead to win the Area 30 final in the Over 50s two wood triples, defeating Christie Miller trio Wendy Gaisford, Bev Lilley and Sheila Garlick 20-12 on the green at Christie Miller Leisure Centre, Melksham.

They now face an inter-area final against the area 29 winners either Angela Thompson (Ilminister) or Di Routley (Taunton Deane).

Jacobs and Cooke have won the area 30 pairs championship four times in the last five years and gone on to reach the final stages each time taking the national title in 2010.

On the way to those four area 30 pairs titles they have beaten England Internationals Laura Holden and Stefanie Branfield (Cleveland) twice 25-21 in 2010 and 20-10 in 2014 and now face them again in this season’s area final on Tuesday, January 20 in Clevedon, looking to keep the winning streak going.

North Wilts top pairing Cooke and Jacobs are joined by Janet Hardie in the triples and are due to play Sue Osborne’s Bristol trio in the area 30 final at home on Saturday.

While 24 hours earlier the trio are joined by Molly Manning to face Sheila Short, Jacqui Branfield, Holden and S Branfield (Clevedon) in the area fours final at home tomorrow.

n THE North Wilts club are seeking to increase their membership.

They will be running a bowls course for five consecutive weeks at their base in Chippenham at Westcroft commencing on Thursday January 22 from 4.15-5.30pm.

The course is free and is for anyone who is interested in taking up the game, or for those who have played in the past and would like to start playing again.

No equipment is necessary as the club provides shoes and bowls.

Further details can be found on the club website nwbowls.co.uk or by contacting the club on 01249 445966.