Senior Cup dreams shattered

In recent years, Whitehead have won everything Irish bowls has to offer; everything, that is, except for the Irish Senior Cup which continues to elude them.

Saturday’s trip to Ballymoney was always going to be a real challenge, but Whitehead have been patiently developing a strong squad and a coach-load of supporters travelled with high hopes. Their hopes were quickly dashed in this quarter-final clash.

Barry Browne lost his proud unbeaten record at the hands of the home McCaw four. The game was close for 16 ends but then the ‘Money men piled on the power and eased home 24-13.

The selectors tinkered with the Gilmartin four; JR Wilson moved to second, but they lost by an identical score to Ballymoney’s other McCaw rink. The fact that they won only eight ends from 21 indicates they were generally on the run but a late four gave them respectability.

Michael Crooks was requisitioned from the ‘B’ squad to add fire-power to James Caldwell’s front end while Matthew Crawford was given third’s responsibilities. Things went according to plan for 11 ends but they could not maintain those high standards for the next 10. They dropped three triples and a five to go down 23-17.

It was left to Marty McHugh to restore Whitehead pride. His engine room was comprised of dad Hugh and the experienced Cecil Knox. They toiled away with their much decorated skip and young lead Jack Montgomery. Their eventual 18-23 success was based on three fine fours at strategic moments.

When the mathematicians completed their tally, the news was bad for Whitehead. Their dreams were shattered once again, and by a margin of 23 shots. They remain big fish in the Northern Ireland Bowls Association pond but don’t seem to be able to raise their game for the all-Ireland Cup.

Result: Ballymoney 89 v Whitehead 66.