Plenty of action at NW League Championships

The North West League Championship Finals were held on Wednesday evening when President David Paul welcomed competitors and spectators to Second Kilrea.
Prize winners and competitors who took part in Finals night.Prize winners and competitors who took part in Finals night.
Prize winners and competitors who took part in Finals night.

David congratulated all the players on reaching the final and hoped that we would be entertained to a great evenings’ bowling.

First up was the fours which saw Dunluce, skipped by Uel McKeeman up against Joe Moore from Finvoy Presbyterian. This promised to be a close match and the first five ends certainly lived up to this billing. Then Dunluce forged ahead into a four shot lead which Dunloy could not recover from and in the end Dunluce had a comfortable 10 shots to four shot win.

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Next up was the open pairs which saw Adam Stratton and Nicky McCaw (Second Kilrea) take on Andrew Wallace and Doughie Morrow (Boveedy). Second Kilrea won the opening end but Boveedy took the second. Young Stratton then got his weight and line perfectly and with his partner, McCaw, drawing close bowls the Kilrea pair built up a good lead. Boveedy tried to fight back but they were only picking up the odd shot here and there which was not enough and at the end Second Kilrea won 9 -4.

The Ladies pairs was a very close contest. This saw Iris Knight and Mary Graham (Boveedy) play Helen Paul and Fiona Armour (Dunloy Presbyterian). On paper the Boveedy pair was the more experienced but Helen and Fiona put this aside and playing some great bowls the Dunloy pair went into a 7-3 shots lead after six ends.

Iris and Mary fought back to reduce the deficit to two shots. However the Dunloy duo won the last two ends to record a very good win.

After the tea break it was the final of the triples which saw St. Colman’s, skipped by Aaron Tennant challenging the Marian under the leadership of William McCaw. With three ends completed the Marian held a 4-1 lead but St. Colman’s drew level in the next end. The Marian then edged ahead again only for their opponents to once again draw level. The St. Colman’s trio then won seven shots in the next three ends and try as they may the Marian was unable to recover and went down 11-8.

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Then came the singles which saw young Mark Jones (Finvoy Presbyterian) taking on Trevor Workman (Moneydig). Mark won two shots in the first end but lost the next three ends to trail by two shots.

After six ends the scores were level. Jones then took a one shot lead; could the young pretender win the title? The answer came very quickly with Workman picking up five shots in the next two ends and try as he may Mark could not come back so the very much coveted singles cup was won by Trevor Workman, 9-6. This was a good performance by Mark Jones who no doubt will be back again competing for honours in the years to come. All credit to Trevor who has featured in the singles final many times before.

Prior to the presentation of prizes, President David Paul welcomed Richard Statton from Causeway Breathe Easy. David explained that throughout the bowling season money had been collected at the Morrison Trophy matches to raise funds for Causeway Breathe Easy and that it now gave him very much pleasure in presenting a cheque for £500.00 to the Charity.

On accepting the cheque Richard thanked the League very much on their efforts in raising this large sum of money. The money would go towards purchasing much needed equipment which is needed to measure the levels of toxins, pollution etc. in the air.

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Jim McIlroy on behalf of the League then thanked President David Paul and members of Second Kilrea for hosting the finals and for providing and serving the lovely supper. He also thanked Bryan Shaw for carrying out the umpiring duties. Jim then asked Carole Paul, wife of the President to present the various prizes and cups.

Replying for the competitors Trevor Workman complemented David Paul on his year as President and again for the members of Second Kilrea for the very enjoyable supper.

Singles;- Trevor Workman 9 v Mark Jones 6; Ladies pairs;- Helen Paul/Fiona Armour 9 v Iris Knight/Mary Graham 6; Open pairs;-Adam Stratton/Nicky McCaw 9 v Andrew Wallace/Doughie Morrow 4; Triples;- Ken Shirley/Aaron Walker/Aaron Tennant 11 v Eamon Cassley/Terrence McGarry/William McCaw 8; fours;- Sammy McMath/Tommy Mullan/Alaistair Kirkpatrick/Uel McKeeman 10 v Harrold Cubbitt/Mark Jones/Roy Hunter/Joe Moore 4.