Irish title for Ballybrakes Community Indoor Bowling Club

The AIIB finals were played over the weekend of 4th – 6th January in CAIBC.

From Ballybrakes Community Indoor Bowling Club, sponsored by Specsavers, Simon Colvin and Robert Allen were playing in the U25 singles, Steven Falls, Nigel Robinson & Ian McClure in the triples and Trevor Colvin, Robert Allen, Simon Colvin and Gary McCloy in the rinks.

Ian and his triple lost their semi-final against Mike Merritt from BIBC and Robert Allen lost his semi-final against Alistair Coleman from CAIBC.

The rink played their semi-final game against Stephen Coleman’s four from CAIBC on the Friday evening and won by a shot, whilst Simon Colvin won his semi game against Darren Atkinson in the U25 singles.

The Finals took place on Sunday morning with the rink up against Brendan Thompson’s four from CAIBC, with Jim Baker replacing the unwell Brendan. Gary and the boys found themselves 12-6 down at the half way stage but plugged their way back to go 12-14 ahead only to see the game go level 14-14 playing the last end.

Trevor and Robert built up a good head of bowls with the rink lying 2 shots, Simon covered the opposition back bowls only to watch Jim Baker miss twice to trail the jack and Gary not needing to play his last bowl to leave the Ballybrakes Rink Irish Champions, after suffering defeat in numerous rinks finals.

They now represent Ireland in the British Isles Championships in Stanley from 11th – 13th March.

In the Singles Final, Simon Colvin met fellow Junior International Ali Coleman and very soon found himself 10 – 1 down, but he fought his way back slowly only to lose 21-16 after a 3½ hour game.

* IWIBA - The following ladies have qualified from the Ballybrakes Club to play in the Semi-finals of the Irish Championships which will be held in CAIBC from 25th – 27th January 2013. Singles – Anne McKillop; Pairs – Penney Johnston & Anne McKillop; Triples – Maureen Robinson, Pat Calvin & Alice Elliott; Fours – Noelle Graham, Penney Johnston, Lily McKillop & Dessa Baird.

* Christmas Short Mat Tournament - The annual Christmas short mat tournament was held from 27th December – 1st January with the finals on 2nd January.

The sponsors were Eamon Bradley Car Sales, Taylor Bowls and Basil Knipe Electrics. There were a total of 283 singles entries and 160 pairs.

Singles qualifiers -P Laird - Balteagh, N Haire - Hillsborough Social, M McCullagh - Killymurriss, B Robinson - Balteagh, I Craig - Broughshane PFA - R Allen - Ballybrakes, P Beattie - St Marks Portadown, B Rankin - Derramore, PJ Gallagher - Burtonport, A Duncan - 2nd Donegore, T Turkington – Kildress, Winner Andy Duncatio

* BALLYBRAKES COMMUNITY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB LEAGUE RESULTS - Week commencing 7 Jan 2013 -

Monday Afternoon League - R McClure 15 – R French 7 J Hagan 17 – J Boyd 18 T Mairs 23 – E Andrews 6 N Lamont 19 – H Kelly 9.

Tuesday Night League - J Dowds 16 – R French 7, G Wallace 10.5 – R Calvin 7 C Stewart 13 – M Jones 11 A Scott 14 – D Baird 8.

Thursday Afternoon League - R French 12 - M McCullagh 10 R Calvin 19 - J Shields 5 T Mairs 20 - P McQuillan 6 N Lamont 15 - A Scott 4.

Thursday night League - J Dowds 12 - W McCaw 14 I McClure 11 - S Colvin 8 G McCloy 10 - U McKeeman 8 I Lynn 14 - H Elliott 10.

Friday Night Mixed League - J Dowds 11– A Elliott 6 S Mitchell 7– G McCloy 15 H Elliott 4– W McCaw 9 C Brogan 9 – C Stewart 15

* Pairs qualifiers -T & W Morrison – 1st Ahoghill D Peden & P Reid – Ballinderry G Kennedy & C Curran – Limavady P & J Beattie St Mark’s Portadown

B & M Johnston – 2nd Kilrea S Brewster & J Calvin – Ballinrees.