Men from the East take victory

Northern Zone Bowls

ON Saturday afternoon Northern Zone Convener D.J.Connelly welcomed Mr H.McCallum and the members of the North Eastern Men’s Team, and spectators, to play the Northern Men in the IIBA Inter-Zone Shield Competition Semi-Final, wishing all a good afternoon’s bowling, played in Our Lady and St.Patrick’s Hall, Castle Street.

In the first both teams settled quickly to the task in hand and half way through the first half North Eastern led by 13 shots to 11 shots, in the run the scores nine across the mats equalled the half time score at 25 to 25.

Half time score line;

Northern North Eastern

S.White 9 D.Walker 10

I.Ross 7 A.Kirkpatrick 8

B.McAlary 9 M.McAleese 7

Total 25 25

After the ladies had served afternoon to everyone present and enjoyed by all the second half saw the North Eastern men settling quickly and at mid way through the second half the scores were 18 to 7 shots up for the North Eastern.

In the run in the Northern men played well to pull back, E.Irwin drawing to perfection but R.Kane and U.McKeeman both played some telling bowls on their mats which stemmed the Northern Men’s surge, and A.Steele’s four playing the final end needed 3 for a match draw or 4 for a win but it was not to be, getting only one and the second half finished 25 to 27 for the Northern Eastern Men.

Second half score line;

N.Gamble 13 B.Kane 6

A.Steele 6 U.McKeeman 10

C.Jones 6 R.Kane 11

Total 25 27

Full Time score Northern 50 North East 52

The Northern Zone Convener D.J.Connelly, in congratulating the North Eastern Men congratulated both teams on a very well played game, a game played in a very sporting and competitive nature worthy indeed of an Inter-Zone Final, he wished the North Eastern Team the very best of god bowling when they play Donegal on Saturday 13 February, venue to be arranged.

He said: “I thank very much John McKenna for arranging the use of Our Lady and St.Patrick’s Hall this afternoon and for having put down the mats for us, I thank too Davy Culbertson, James Elliott and Brian Shaw, for acting as Umpires this afternoon, and I thank the Ladies on all our behalves for serving afternoon tea.”

North Eastern Zone Convener H.McCallum in thanking Denis for his congratulations and good wishes congratulated both teams on a very well played game, he thanked too the umpires for doing duty and a big thank you to the ladies for serving a beautiful afternoon tea.

Finals night

The Finals night of the Northern Zone Stonebridge National Championships will be held on either Monday 1st February in Our Lady and St.Patrick’s Hall, Castle Street, Ballymoney or on Wednesday 3rd February in Ballybrakes Indoor Bowling Club, starting at 7pm both nights. All players will be told at the Triples and Fours nights of play-offs which hall is being used.

9pm National Singles;

Section A J.Calvin, Ballinrees, v G.Scott, Finvoy Pres.

Section B G.McCloy, Finvoy Pres. v D.Smyth, Ballybrakes

Section C T.Smith, Ballybrakes v D.Morrow, Boveedy

9.30pm National Pairs;

Section A G.Steele & A.Steele, Loughanreagh v B.McAlary & J.Martin, Marian

Section B A.Cassley & D.McCann, St.Mary’s v U.Brewster & N.McMullan, Loughanreagh

7pm National Triples

7pm National Fours

9pm Ladies Singles;

D.McCloy, Finvoy Pres. v E.McKee, Finvoy Pres.

9.30pm Ladies Pairs;

P.McTrustey & T.O’Neill, St.Colums v J.McClelland & M.Sherrard, Kelly Memorial

7pm Ladies Triples:

J.Jones, E.McAuley & D.McCloy, Finvoy Pres. v M.Campbell, C.Murray & B.O’Neill, St.Colums

7.30pm Junior Singles;

G.McConnell, Burnside Pres. v P.Reynolds, Garv.& Dist.

9.30pm Junior Pairs;

A.McCloy, Finvoy Pres & J.White, Garv.&Dist. v M.Clyde, St.Pats. P/rush &

G.McConnell, Burnside Pres

7pm Over 55’s;

C.McLernon & B.Shaw, 1st Coleraine Pres. v W.Linton & N.Shaw, Trinity Pres.

7.30pm Over 55’s

A.Morrison & J.Morrison, St.Pats., P/rush v T.Paul & J.Campbell, Dunloy Pres.

Dress to be grey’s and whites and proper bowling shoes to be worn.

Please note due to the possibility of duplications in the Triples and Fours times may be changed on the night of play so all players are asked to be present in plenty of time and spectators are very welcome to come along and support the players the winners going through to the play-offs of the Irish Indoor Bowling Association Stonebridge National Championships played in march in the Ballybrakes Indoor Bowling Club.