MIXED FORTUNES FOR LOCAL TEAMS

Coleraine, Portrush and Ballymoney all secured their spot in the last eight as Ballycastle, Portglenone and City of Derry exited the competition.

The Lodge Road men fully deserved their win over the ‘Wee Port’, with good performances right across the green. A tough tie at home to St James Gate awaits the Bannsiders in the quarter final. Coleraine settled well and took an early six shot lead over their hosts, who soon fought back to take a four shot lead of their own. It was to be shortlived though as the Lodge Road boys regained the lead and it was one they wouldn’t relinquish.

After 10 ends of play, Coleraine were 13 shots up and it was extended to 20 shots a few ends later as the Dallas and McDermott rinks extended their advantage, with the Calvin rink pulling away from their opponents. With two ends to go, the Bannsiders had extended their lead to a massive 40 shots before the Gortgole Road side cut the deficit; the Coleraine boys had played very well and deserved to run out 33 shot winners, as they sealed a superb 91-58 victory over the home side.

On rink two, Victor Dallas’ rink had an excellent win over Roy Hunter’s foursome to lay a solid foundation for the visitors. They opened up an early 5-0 lead before the home rink cut the deficit to one shot after eight ends, but Dallas’ men soon extended their lead as they went on a run of scoring ends; Victor took out a bowl for a five in the 12th end as the Coleraine rink went 18-5 in front after 14 ends. Jordan Dallas, Jimmy O’Neill, David Reilly and Victor extended their lead to 23-6 after 18 ends as they continued to play good bowls before Hunter’s men cut the deficit in the remaining ends, Dallas’ rink finished 23-10 up and set the tone for the visitors.

The rink of Mark Mason, Tony Blair, Stephen Brewster and Jonny Calvin had a good battle with Keith Padgett’s four as they ran out winners. The Portglenone rink opened up a 9-1 lead early on before Calvin’s men fought back to within a shot after 11 ends, however, the visitors pushed on and continued to build good heads, converting them in to shots as they took the lead in the 16th end. Calvin’s men eventually ran out 27-15 winners after playing some great bowls.

Over on rink three, Richard McDermott’s four had a good win over Eamonn McCann, opening up a 6-2 lead after lifting a five in the fourth end. Hugh McCallum, Gareth McConnell, Basil Kennedy and Richard stepped up a gear and continued their scoring as they lifted another five in the 12th end to take a 19-7 lead over their hosts, helping the team to a substantial lead at this stage of the game. The Coleraine boys continued to play the better bowls and following a sterling performance, they sealed a 26-15 win over the Portglenone rink. The rink of Paul O’Neill, Peter Irwin, Alan Irwin and Ally Davison took an early 5-1 lead against the Portglenone rink skipped by Chris Jones, but the home side soon levelled the scores after 10 ends before moving into a four shot lead after 14 ends of play. Davison’s foursome dug deep and regained the lead, moving 14-12 in front of Jones’ rink with four ends to go, however, the Gortgole Road boys weren’t to be denied and they claimed the sole Portglenone rink win as they ran out 18-15 winners.

The game was played in the usual good spirits between both sides, with the Bannsiders playing some excellent bowls at times. After three years, Coleraine finally have a home tie in the competition, they now face last year’s beaten finalists, St James Gate. The Dublin side have lifted the BLI league title six years in a row and will be out to add an Irish Cup to their sideboard, so Coleraine know only too well how tough a game awaits them.

The Bannsiders are one of only three NIPBA sides to lift the coveted trophy, but it will be a tough game at home to the BLI giants, however, it is one the close knit Coleraine squad will relish and a mouth watering game is sure to commence in the quarter final on Saturday 28 July.

Portrush secured their place in the quarter finals with a grand slam win over Londonderry Park. Gary McCloy spearheaded their magnificent win as he beat J Marshall by 21 shots. Ian McClure beat J Marshall snr by nine, Jackie Smyth saw off M Fay by eight and Simon Colvin beat D Mateer by nine.

Ballymoney had a great batle with Dundonald before winning by 15 shots. Gary Kelly and Brian McAlary were the Toon’s winning skips.

FIXTURES

Monday 2 July

Progressive Senior League

Ballymoney v Portrush

Ballycastle v Cookstown

Coleraine v City of Derry

Limavady v Brookgreen

Portglenone v Dunluce

Tuesday 3 July

NIPBA Fours Quarter - Finals

G. Kelly BM or I. Ross BG v W. Moore LV

K. Shirley BM v C. Hogg CT

V. Dallas CR v J. Marshall LK

B. Kane DL v E. McCann PG

Wednesday 4 July

NIPBA Triples Quarter - Finals

A. Paul BM v J. Hagan BPK

J. Quinn LK v I. McClure PR

L. McHugh CT v I. Ross BG

W. McCaw BM v D. McElroy CT

Thursday 5 July

NIPBA Singles Quarter - Finals

I. McClure PR v A. Reid BM or U. McKeeman DL

J. Calvin CR v F. Jackson PG

S. Quinn CT v R. Kane DL

G. McCloy PR v W. McCaw BM