League win but cup defeat for Bann

THE new season continues to go well for the Bann A team as they recorded a good win over Carrick away from home.

For the past two seasons Carrick struggled to obtain points at the beginning of the season so the Bann boys were confident of doing well against them.

And that turned out to be the case as they won the game by 21 shots and gaining five points.

Two rinks were all square at 19 ends but they both lost singles on the last two ends. The full seven points had been in Banbridge’s grasp.

Rink details: Rink 1 - Greg Moore’s rink led by three shots after five ends but over the next six ends they only managed to pick up one win and trailed by six shots.

After 19 ends Bann had managed to pull it back to square the game at 17-17 but lost the final two ends by a shot each to lose 17-19.

Rink 2 - Brendan’s rink of D Tumilty, P Chambers and J Major only conceded seven ends in total. After nine ends the score was eight shots each but then the game changed completely, losing three singles and leaving Brendan Davis’ rink 11-8 down. But an amazing fightback, scoring 18 shots without reply to win 26-12.

Rink 3 - Dan Buchanan’s rink of M Bingham, W Steenson and M Jess were level at 4-4 after five ends and at 10 ends Bann led by six shots, 12-6.

The score at 16 ends was 14-12 and two ends later they had moved three shots in front but a two followed by a seven and a single meant the score read 27-17 to Bann in the end.

Rink 4 - P O’Keefe, A O’Keefe, D Craig and D Hamilton endured another close encounter. After eight ends Bann were down by seven shots (3-10) at 15 ends and at 16 ends it was all square.

The exchanging of scores continued and while the score was 17-17 in the 18th end the Banbridge rink was unlucky to lose a shot in each of the last two ends.

Banbridge A 66

Portrush 77

THE weather was beautiful for a game of bowls with temperatures in the mid 70s.

The A team which travelled to Portrush were always in touch of winning this IBA Cup match. Three of the four rinks were only two shots behind while the other rink lost it in the final ends.

Bann failed to score in the first end and found themselves 6-0 down, then they were behind by three at the second and 10 down after end three.

But by end eight Bann had moved 10 shots ahead (32-22) but were tied at 35-35 at end 10.

Portrush gradually pulled away and by end 15 Bann found themselves 10 behind and three ends later the defecit had decreased to 53-60. Bann only scored two shots in each of the 18th and 19 ends to trail by 13 - 57-70.

Banbridge could only take two more shots off their opponents and lost by 11 shots.