YOUTH and experience certainly proved to be a winning combination when the Richmond open pairs bowls tournament was played last weekend.

Arthur Strickland, who is 80 years old, teamed up with his 15-year-old grandson Jonathan Strickland to win Sunday's final at Ronaldshay Park.

Mr Strickland, who lives at Catterick Village, is also the main greenkeeper at the Richmond club. He was there at 8am on Saturday to help prepare the rink before coming through seven matches with Jonathan to reach Sunday's final.

They defeated John Embleton and Brian Carter of Barnard Castle to qualify for the final against Lorna and Peter Phillips of Bedale, who had reached that stage by beating Joyce and Alan Stephenson of Darlington RA.

The final swung on two ends when the winners picked up four and five shots on consecutive ends. They eventually triumphed 15-9.

Saturday's matches were played in intense heat and Mr Strickland, who took up the sport when he retired from his job as a chief prison officer in Scotland, said: "I was exhausted, but delighted.

"I was more pleased for my grandson because it was a good fillip for him. He's getting better all the time."

The pair have played together in the event several times, finishing in the prize money three years ago, after Mr Strickland encouraged Jonathan and his sister Katie to try the game.

Jonathan, who lives in Richmond and attends Richmond School, is an all-round sportsman who also plays rugby at Darlington Mowden Park and with the Durham County U15 squad. He also enjoys sailing and badminton.

His grandfather has won several club trophies and has played for the English Civil Service, Yorkshire Civil Service and Yorkshire Patrons.

The open pairs third/fourth place play-off was won by Alan and Joyce Stephenson, while Colin Blood and Colin Baxter of Shildon defeated Bob Jones and Dave Richardson of Elm Tree, Stockton to win the plate final