Opening games go to form

In section one the two fancied teams are in first and third positions. Only two teams will qualify for the final shoot-out and one bad week could put any team right out of contention.

Don’t expect Team 2 to slip up. They are in the lead with a three-card total of 103 points. Shane Bell and Roy Sipson both scored 35 points while Cecil Johnston scored 33 points. That’s impressive, don’t you think?

Team 4 are in second place with 99 points and they could prove to be a surprise packet. Stephen Orr scored 36 points, Keith Steenson 34 and Gary McCartney 29.

Team 10 are sure to figure in the final shake-up. They are in third place after the opening round with a team total of 98 points.

Seamus Rooney was their top scorer with 35 points and then came P.J. Johnstone with 33 points and Andrew Quinn with 30 points.

Don’t rule out Team 5 just yet. Hugh Dunne is on this team and his opening score was a brilliant 36 points. Then came Paul McDonald with 31 and Shane McCrory with 29. A team score of 96 puts them into fourth place in section one.

The favourites also dominated section two in round one. The leaders, with a team score of 97 points, are Team 7.

John Parkes and Gerry Blevins both scored 33 points and the Club President, Bertie Shaw, added 31. They could hardly have hoped for a better start.

The other fancied team in section two, Team 3, are in second place with 94 points. Dermot Dawson was their star player with 35 points. Patsy McCourt had 32 points while John Lennon had 27.

No other team managed to reach the ninety mark but team five came very close with 89 points. Sean McGreevey scored 33, Eamon McAnarney 31 and Colm McGreevey 25.

There are four rounds to go and anything could happen. But the danger is that the fancied teams could run away with it. It’s up to the others to hang in there. Easier said than done!