CHAMPIONS!

DUNLUCE secured their place in the history books following their seven shot win over Dubliners St James’ Gate in the final of the IBA Senior Cup on Saturday.

The Bushmills lads became only the third NIPBA club to win the competition as they held their nerve in a nailbiting finish.

Barry Kane and Uel McKeeman gave Dunluce the edge as they won their rinks.

Kane beat Leonard by nine shots and McKeeman saw off John Leonard by seven.

For St James’ Gate Robbie Maher beat Mervyn McKeeman by three, before Eamon Carruth grabbed a six shot win over Rodney Kane.

It was a dramatic finish as Carruth almost played a wonder bowl only for the Dunluce bowl to rest very close to the edge of the ditch.

Dunluce lead from start to finish with their lead ranging from 11 shots to only four shots with two ends to go.

With three games completed Dunluce entered the last end five shots up and played some good bowls.

Dunluce were brilliant throughout their cup campaign and thoroughly deserved to lift the trophy.

They defeated defending champions Ballymena, last year’s runner-up Ballymoney and the best the BLI have in St James’ Gate.

Not often a club has such a difficult run but no-one can say they do not deserve the trophy. They did it the hard way.