BOWLS: Abbey days are here again!

The Monkstown outfit completed the season undefeated, having won all 15 of their league outings – a first in the club’s history – and their impressive unbeaten run in the league now stretches back to February 2015.

Abbey’s bowling club was formed in 1966 by Mr Andy Boddles and the club has marked its 50th anniversary in style with this league title success.

Although Abbey did not lose a game this season, they did not always have an easy ride.

At half time in their matches against 2nd Donegore Presbyterian and Muckamore CC they found themselves behind by 11 and eight shots respectively.

These deficits were turned around by the second-half rinks skipped by Jack Montgomery and Barry Browne who produced stunning displays to keep the title dream alive.

Even after Abbey had completed their 15 games and had amassed a total of 94.5 points the league title success was not certain. Credit must go to second-placed Muckamore CC who, despite the defeat against Abbey, did not give up on their campaign and due to their large number of rink wins knew they could achieve a total of 95 points if they scored the maximum of 21 in their last three games. They fell just short of this target, dropping a single point against Mossley in their final game, confirming Abbey as champions for the second time in three years.

Club captain Jonny Cameron commended the effort of his team: “Big congratulations to every member of the team for our second win in three years. It’s thanks to our skilled players that we are successful and no doubt we will keep practising hard to keep up the success in future years to come,” he said.

In outdoor bowls, the NI Private Greens League season gets under way on April 23 with Division 1 Mossley entertaining Pickie on opening day while Ulster Transport travel to Ballymena .

In the Northern Ireland Bowling Association Division 2, Newtownabbey are away to Lurgan and Division 6 outfit Glengormley are also on the road at McQuiston Memorial.