Birley & Norman victorious in Pairs
Proud winners, Kurtis and David
Congratulations to David Birley and Kurtis Norman on capturing the 2025/26 Lennons Pairs title at Lennons SC. The victory marks Birley’s fourth Pairs title, achieved with three different partners over the years, while for Norman it represents his first success in the Chesterfield & District Snooker League.
Their opponents were the experienced Hasland pairing of David Vaulks and Dean Jepson, who have been in excellent form this season across both the regular Pairs and Scotch Doubles competitions. Vaulks himself was aiming to claim his first Pairs title since 2001, when he last lifted the trophy alongside Luke Fisher.
The match began cautiously, with much of the red cluster pushed towards one side of the table. Both teams showed strong tactical awareness, neither wanting to hand the initiative to the other. It was the Clock Tower duo who eventually broke the deadlock, however, as a spell of clever safety play from Norman created the chance for Birley to step in and compile a steady 33 break to take the opening frame.
The second frame followed a similar pattern. The Hasland pair built an early advantage, but once again Birley seized his opportunity, producing two clinical contributions to put his side 2–0 ahead, leaving the Hasland men with work to do.
To their credit, Vaulks and Jepson responded well in the third frame. They established a solid lead and managed the frame effectively to pull one back and keep the contest alive.
The fourth frame proved to be the most dramatic. A missed opportunity from the Hasland pair while among the balls allowed Birley another chance to capitalise, and the situation looked increasingly difficult for Vaulks and Jepson. Although Birley eventually broke down on 43, the Hasland duo fought their way back into the frame, taking the battle right down to the pink. With the pink tight to the top cushion and the cue ball some ten feet away, the title still hung in the balance. Spotting his chance, Norman trusted his technique and calmly produced a superb long pot, sealing the frame and the championship in style.
Congratulations once again to David and Kurtis, and commiserations to David Vaulks and Dean Jepson for a spirited and commendable performance.
A special thank you also goes to Sean Lennon of Lennons SC for sponsoring the competition and hosting the final, and to Ian Rose for refereeing the match. A top job all round.
David Vaulks, Dean Jepson, Kurtis Norman & David Birley
Pairs Final Scorecard
| Players | Score | Players |
|---|---|---|
|
David Birley / Kurtis Norman Clock Tower Business Centre |
3–1 |
David Vaulks / Dean Jepson Hasland Club |
| DB: 33 Break | 75–38 | |
| DB: 33, 35 Break | 84–52 | |
| 42–67 | ||
| DB: 43 Break | 75–59 |
Route to the Final
| Pair | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|
| David / Kurtis | Semi Final | bt Callum Greenfield / Robert Cook 3–1 |
| Quarter Final | bt Dean Bullock / Nathan Brown 3–1 | |
| Last 16 | bt Dave Bolton / Adam Clift 3–1 | |
| Last 32 | bt Nick Oakley / Scott Twells 3–1 | |
| Last 64 | BYE | |
| David / Dean | Semi Final | bt Martin Conway / Andrew Frisby 3–1 |
| Quarter Final | bt Ian Rose / Alan Crownshaw 3–0 | |
| Last 16 | bt Jamie Bosworth / Martin Lawrence 3–0 | |
| Last 32 | bt Paul Sainsbury / Mark Taylor 3–2 | |
| Last 64 | BYE |
Highest Break in Competition 2025/26
| Player | Team | Break |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Pagett | Clock Tower 'A' | 73 |
Recent Winners
| Year | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2025 | D. Tramontano / D. Pagett |
| 2024 | D. Birley & G. Shirley |
| 2023 | R. England & A. Walker |
| 2022 | T. Haney & K. Ryde |
| 2020 | R. England & J. Harrison |
| 2019 | D. Bolton & A. Clift |
| 2018 | B. Stubbs & S. Anson |
| 2017 | M. Finnigan & K. Breeze |
| 2016 | S. Swindell & D. Birley |
| 2015 | S. Swindell & D. Birley |
