Maximum points and a cup win for Dunbarton

Dunbarton A 114 (7)

Salisbury A 39 (0)

THE Dunbarton A team stormed to the top of Private Greens Division One last Tuesday night when they hammered lowly Salisbury in Gilford.

The locals led from start to finish and walloped their North Belfast opposition by a massive 75 shots. More importantly, all four rinks finished ahead and seven points were garnered.

Over the first few ends Myles Greenfield's rink led the charge as they raced into an immediate 11-0 lead. The remaining three rinks were close early on with DJ Wilson three shots ahead, Conor McCartan all square and Clifford Dennison behind by one.

By the midpoint, the Gilford men had taken firm control of the game although DJ, Clifford and Conor were not quite guaranteed their point. DJ was six up, while Clifford and Conor were three ahead. Myles meanwhile was scoring shots for fun and had opened up a 18-3 lead.

Over the second half of the game, the hosts simply blew the visitors away with some scintillating bowls.

Conor went on an incredible run and from 9-9 after nine ends, scored a remarkable 29 unanswered shots to win 38-9. Myles' point never looked in doubt and they cruised to a facile 20 shot success. DJ's quartet had little problems despatching their opposition by 15 and not far behind came Clifford's four who won by 11.

Whilst not a difficult game, this was a vital seven points nonetheless.

Rink 1: D McElroy, J Magennis, G McElroy, C McCartan up 38-9

Rink 2: D Copeland, I Perry, T Bell, DJ Wilson up 27-12

Rink 3: M Higgins, E Campbell, T Mulholland, M Greenfield up 27-7

Rink 4: D Pedan, P Adamson, A Hughes, C Dennison up 22-11

Dunbarton A 105 (7)

PSNI A 63 (0)

DUNBARTON A team rounded off a superb week with their fourth home win out of four in the space of eight days when they defeated PSNI in Gilford.

Most importantly, for the second time in five days the locals registered maximum points.

Having been joint top of the league, the locals moved 2.5 points clear as joint leaders Old Bleach could only manage a draw at lowly Salisbury.

The opening few ends of this game were quite remarkable. Clifford Dennison managed to score 12 shots in just the first three ends while Myles Greenfield went better when he opened with scores of 3, 7 and 6 over his first few ends and led 18-0.

DJ Wilson's four had a much more sedate start as they led 6-2, however on the rink beside Conor McCartan's four started horribly losing nine shots over the first three ends.

After the first third, Clifford was ahead 20-4, Myles was ahead 20-2, DJ led 10-3 and Conor was 4-10 behind.

However, there was a huge change on end eight for Conor when his rink scored a massive count of seven to take the lead for the first time.

At the two thirds mark Myles was still well ahead and DJ had moved clear by double figures. Conor was having a really tight battle and was all square at 14-14 but Clifford's quartet were starting to go backwords. Having led 24-4, they suddenly began to drop a run of ends and after 14 ends were 24-12 ahead.

As the game drew to a close Myles put the foot back on the accelerator to cruise home by 18 shots. Quite a week for Michael, Eddie, Terry and Myles as they won their four games over the past eight days by 12, 20, 25 and 18!

DJ's four were next off and they led from start to finish to win easily by 13.

On rink one, Clifford's foursome were enduring a nervy finish, with their lead cut to four shots going into the final end.

And things looked to be going pear shaped for Clifford when with three bowls left, PSNI lay four shots. Thankfully, skip Clifford held his nerve to turn the jack for two shots and their point was won.

The locals will however be disappointed at nearly throwing their point away. The closest game of the day came on rink three as Conor's four fought tooth and nail with their rivals and going into the final end, the home rink led by three shots.

Thankfully, good bowls by the front end of Darren and John eased the pressure resulting in a double for the home rink and the seventh and final point won. Another vital seven points.

Rink 1: D Pedan, P Adamson, A Hughes, C Dennison up 27-21

Rink 2: M Higgins, E Campbell, T Mulholland, M Greenfield up 31-13

Rink 3: D McElroy, J Magennis, G McElroy, C McCartan up 24-19

Rink 4: D Copeland, C Mulholland, T Bell, DJ Wilson up 23-10

Dunbarton A 81

Willowfield A 53

REIGNING cup holders Dunbarton eased into the quarter final of the Private Greens Cup with a fine win against the only side to have defeated the locals this season, Willowfield.

Despite a close first 10 ends, a wonderful spell in the third quarter by the rink of Michael Higgins, Eddie Campbell, Terry Mulholland and Myles Greenfield when they scored 22 successive shots ensured a safe passage into the quarter finals.

The Dunbarton bowlers showed they were up for revenge with a great start, opening up a six shot lead on the first end, which they extended to 10 shots at the five end stage, including counts of four on both DJ Wilson’s and Clifford Dennison’s rinks.

Willowfield continued to fight hard, reducing the Dunbarton lead to six shots at 10 ends.

On rink one, DJ’s rink were enjoying a fine spell and were 10-6 ahead. On rink 2, Conor was 1 shot in front 6-5. On rink three, Clifford’s foursome despite a great start, were now three shots behind to trail 7-10 and on rink four Myles was 10-6 ahead including four shots scored on end nine.

Dunbarton now led 33-27 with this cup tie still in the balance.

Rinks two and three were both having tough games with Connor’s rink losing nine ends in a row to trail 14-6 after 16 ends.

Clifford’s rink was also having a poor run of ends and were now 15-9 shots down approaching the last quarter.

DJ’s four were all playing well and had extended their rink lead to 16-9 at 15 ends. The home side’s rink four guided by skip Myles, were now hitting top form, scoring 22 unanswered shots between ends 11 and17, to lead 32-6 at 17 ends.

Overall Dunbarton now had a healthy 20 shot lead. On the closing ends DJ’s rink closed out their game, finishing 21-12 winners.

Conor’s rink fought back to finish only one shot down at 13-14, Clifford’s rink finished five behind at 13-18 and Myles stormed to a 34-9 win.

A good team performance which sets up a quarter final match at home against Old Bleach in two weeks time.

Rink 1: D Copeland, A Leckey, T Bell, DJ Wilson won 21-12.

Rink 2: D McElroy, J Magennis, G McElroy, C McCartan lost 13-14.

Rink 3: I Perry, P Adamson, A Hughes, C Dennison lost 13-18.

Rink 4: M Higgins, E Campbell, T Mulholland, M Greenfield won 34-9.

This Saturday it is back to Irish Senior Cup action for the Dunbarton A team and a mouthwatering local derby against Portadown.

Both sides will be relishing this game and the game is due to begin at 2pm in Gilford.