Oxford University Press’s Sheila Hessey and Gill Lambourne have qualified for the National Pairs Championships at Royal Leamington Spa in August for the first time.

They booked their place with a 25-17 victory over Oxford City & County’s Carol Gaskins and Carol Penson in the Oxfordshire semi-finals at Henley.

City & County’s Katherine Hawes and Donna Knight are also through following a thrilling 19-18 extra end win over clubmates Sue Mayo and Jeanette Berry.

RESULTS 

Quarter-finals: D Clifton & C Morgan 15, S Hessey & G Lambourne 13; C Gaskins & C Penson 25, M Major & P Clarke 16; K Hawes & D Knight 17, C Galletly & C Campion 14; S Mayo & J Berry 19, S Amos & P Shepherd 17.

Semi-finals: S Hessey & G Lambourne 25, C Gaskins & C Penson 17; K Hawes & D Knight 19, S Mayo & J Berry 18.