Bowls: Banana skin avoided on locals’ quest to be pick of the bunch

The host side had already defeated both of Dunbarton’s title rivals Belmont and Ballymena at home so on paper this was a very difficult task.

However, the locals have a good record on the Bangor green and shot out of the blocks and never looked back. Inspired by a tremendous performance by Ryan McElroy, Tony Bell, Stevie Adamson and Andy Hughes who won by a massive 21 shots, the locals opened up an early 20 shot advantage and stormed home by a thumping 35 shots. Former Irish international Myles Greenfield led his rink to a comfortable 12 shot success while DJ Wilson’s four had to battle hard to win by five.

The only disappointment was a narrow three shot defeat for Conor McCartan’s rink.

Rink 1 C Mulholland, J Magennis, M Trainor, M Greenfield up 23-11

Myles and his front three got off to a great start and led from start to finish. After opening up an 8-1 advantage after five ends, the visitors extended this to 12-4 by the midpoint. Over the second half, the Gilford men always had their rivals at arm’s length and cruised to a fine 12 shot win.

Rink 2 J Moffatt, M Merritt, P Convery, DJ Wilson up 22-17

Skip DJ and his team-mates put in a super shift yet had to battle right to the end to win. At the midpoint they led 12-8 but their opponents fought tooth and nail and by the three quarters mark the Dunbarton lead was back to one, Thankfully, the away rink held their nerve and were rewarded with a fully deserved five shot success. Second Michael Merritt had a terrific game.

Rink 3 C Trainor, G Moore, G McElroy, C McCartan down 18-21

Conor’s men started well and opened up a 12-7 after 10 but it was from ends 11-15 that things began to go wrong. Scores of 2,1,3,1,1 were conceded, suddenly they trailed 12-15 and went on to lose by three.

Rink 4 R McElroy, T Bell, S Adamson, A Hughes up 31-10

This was Dunbarton’s star rink as the locals got off to a flying start. Scores of 2,2,3,1,2 saw the Gilford bowlers open up a 10-0 lead and by halfway it was 15-4.

A fine count of five shots on end 13 wrapped this game up as a contest and Andy’s excellent rink romped to a marvellous 21 shot victory. A super effort by all four bowlers.