Girls return from Irish duty

The competition took place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th January 2009 at Cynon Valley Bowls Club approximately 30 miles north of Cardiff.

Both girls have competed at this level before, but it was Erin’s first time as skip with Megan retaining her role as lead.

The Irish produced their best display in the opening game of the series when they played Scotland on Saturday morning. All 4 rinks turned in very creditable performances however it was not enough to stop Scotland recording a 14 shot victory. Cliodhna Eadie scored the only rink win of the weekend when she skipped her rink to a 16-12 victory over Alisa Robertson.

Erin Smith’s rink fought back from 10-1 down after 10 ends to eventually go down by 17-9 against Gaynor Blair.

Ashleigh Rainey, with Megan Wilson at lead was narrowly beaten by 13 shots to 10 by Michelle Cooper while Nicola McClean was beaten 18-9 by Sarah Jane Ewing.

Unfortunately that was as good as it for the Irish. Two matches in one day just proved too much for the young Irish team as they were put to the sword by a very strong English team on Saturday afternoon. The England team dominated the game from start to finish on their way to a massive 128-40 victory.

In the final game of the series on Sunday morning, Wales were also too strong for the Irish side as they fell to another heavy defeat by 94 shots to 37.

England won the series when they beat Scotland in their final game. Wales finished third with Ireland finishing in fourth place.

The Irish team find it difficult to complete at this level as they are a much younger and inexperienced team compared to the other three countries, however the performance against Scotland will give the team something to build on as they plan for next year’s series which will take place in Perth, Scotland.