THE draw for Grimsby Open Bowls Week's Rinks of Three competition has set-up some interesting matches.

After taking the runners-up spot at this year's Cleethorpes Open, Bill Johnson, Brenda Land and partner (Waltham BC) will play Martin and Kay Steer with Roy Buckingham (Sussex BC).

Having missed out on the hat-trick of triples titles at this year's Cleethorpes event, Allan Dent Snr and Allan Dent Jnr have recruited 19-year-old Russell Dent (Louth IBC) and face a tough opening game against George Hilton, Peter Noble and Ted Marsh (Ordsall BC).

Defending champion Caroline Cullum this year plays with father, Gordon Peck (Kingsway Printers BC), and faces a strong opening triple of Dennis, Margaret and Norman Cheater (Walkington BC).

Last year's runners-up Ted and Iris Coulson, and Kevin Lewis (Eagle BC), make the trip from Lincoln and open their crack at the title against Jenny Miskelly, B Altoft and J Sheppard (Haverstoe Pk).

Looking to repeat their success at this year's Cleethorpes Open will be Phil Bown, Jim McLachlan and Billy Howson (Kingsway Printers BC) who will play Dave and Jim Cole with Ian Jackson (Scartho Clee BC) in their opening game.

Other games in the first round which should produce strong competition are Tina Morris, Stan Short and Harold Dixon (Goxhill BC), winners of the title in 2006, against Margaret Upton, June Jenkin and Pat McKeon (Sussex BC).

Jonathan and Barry Darley with Bernard Gowshall (Clee BC) face Maureen Bush, Kath Reid and Martin Nurse (Healing BC), while Andy Marshall, Doug Rook and Ernie White (Habrough BC) play Norman Dodsworth, Eddie Edwards and June Smith (Sussex BC).

Matches in this competition take place on Tuesday at Sussex Rec.

In the Mixed Pairs competition, to be played on Wednesday, defending champion Caroline Cullum's husband, David, is unable to play this year.

Caroline has partnered up with father Gordon Peck (Kingsway Printers BC), with whom she has twice won the title in recent years.

If they are to repeat their previous success they will have to get past previous semi-finalists Marion Williams and Bill Pickering (Boultham Park BC Lincoln) in what looks to be one of the closest first round games.

Last year's runners-up at both the Cleethorpes and Grimsby Opens, David Rutt and Eva Dayes (Market Weighton BC), will be hard pressed in their first-round game against Janet and Darrell Eames (Longden Terrace BC).

This year's Cleethorpes Open title holder Tracey Dent (Clee BC) has yet to name her partner and will play Betty Cuthbert and Gordon Hall (Blossom Way BC).

This year's Cleethorpes runners-up, Jonathan Darley and Marion Burgess face previous semi-finalists Ernest Elkington and Rose Amos (Friskney BC).

David and Christine Hempsall holders of the Cleethorpes Mixed Pairs title in 2008 and 2009, will be looking to add a Grimsby title, but have to get past Mike and Julia Heath in the first round.

Other pairs who have featured in the latter stages of the competition in recent years are Tina Morris and Harold Dixon (Goxhill BC), runners-up in 2006, who play a strong pair in Terry Wood and Laura-Jane Duncan (Carr Lane BC).

Full draws online at www.sportgrimsby.co.uk/bowls