ST. COLMAN’S WIN MORRISON TROPHY

In a very evenly contested game they overcame their near neighbours Dunluce to get a last grasp win to pick up the Morrison Trophy.

It all started so well for the Dunluce outfit. Alastair Kilpatrick’s rink beat the four of Paul McCook (St. Colman’s) 14 shots to nine. It was two shots each after two ends but Kilpatrick won the next three ends to take a 9-2 lead. McCook won one shot back in the eighth end but it was not enough and the Dunluce rink went on to record a good win.

On the other mat Kenny Carson (St. Colman’s) played Uel McKeeman (Dunluce). McKeeman won one shot on the first end but Carson won the following seven ends to take a commanding lead, and in the end had a comfortable 15 shots to four win.

This left St. Colman’s with a six shots advantage at half time.

After the break, play resumed with David Walker (St. Colman’s) up against Barry Kane (Dunluce). It was nip and tuck for the first six ends with the score standing at five shots apiece. Walker won the next two ends but

Kane struck back in the ninth and tenth ends picking up six shots in the process to win by two shots. This cut St. Colman’s lead to four shots.

In the final game Alan McAleese (St. Colman’s) took on Rodney Kane (Dunluce). Each won alterative ends up to end five with the score six shots to three shots in Kane’s favour. Dunluce had taken an overall advantage of one shot. However St. Colman’s won the next two ends to go 4 shots clear. Kane then won four shots in ends eight and nine to once again leave the match all square. With the final bowl still to play Dunluce were lying one shot to the good and one hand on the trophy, but with his final bowl, McAleese steered his bowl through the narrowest of gaps to take Dunluce’s bowl out and win the match. A fitting end to a great game of bowls.

The trophy was presented to Robert McBride captain of St. Colman’s, by league President, Mr. Ken McLenaghan. Robert congratulated Dunluce on their fine display of bowling. He added that the match had been played in a very sporting manner. However he was very pleased that in this instance his team had held on to win the trophy. The losing captain, Alastair McIntyre, congratulated St. Colman’s on their win and he also thanked Second Kilrea for hosting the final and for providing the lovely supper.

For the past few years The NWIBL has used the Morrison Trophy games as a means of collecting money for local charities. This year the President chose Cancer Focus as the beneficiary and he had great pleasure in handing over a cheque for £500 to Norma Clyde and Tania McGowan who were there on behalf of Cancer Focus. Norma thanked President Ken McLenaghan and all the teams who had taken part in the various games helping to raise this large sum of money. It is greatly appreciated she added.