Stonebridge finals

Bowls

THE Stonebridge National Championships were held in Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s Hall, Ballymoney, last Monday.

Play started with T Smith (Ballybrakes) taking on D Morrow (Boveedy). Morrow took an early lead winning both the first and second ends. However Smith eventually found the line and speed of the mat and clawed back to square the game after five ends.

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The game swayed from end to end with both players striving to get the winning shots. Going into the last end Morrow lead by one shot but with only one bowl left he was one down. He held his nerve to turn out Smith’s lying bowl to claim victory, nine shots to seven shots.

Next up was the final of the Junior pairs where A McCloy and J White played M Clyde and M McConnell. It was a delight to watch these players of the future doing battle, wanting every bowl to be a winner. McCloy and White settled quickly and raced in to a five shot lead. McConnell and Clyde fought back but the margin was too much and they went down nine shots to four.

The semi finals of the over-55’s was then played with C McLernon and B Shaw (1st Coleraine) seeing off W Linton and N Shaw (Trinity) by 11 shots to six.

In the other semi final the St Patrick’s Portrush pair of A and J Morrison defeated the fancied pairing of T Paul and J Campbell (Dunloy Pres) winning eight shots to seven after having to play a tie-end. In the final of the over-55’s McLernon and Shaw proved too much for the keen and enthusiastic Morrisons and won 11 shots to eight.

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In the final of the fours U Brewster/G Steele/I Ross/O Steele (Loughanreagh) played C Paul/I Smyth/M Johnston/N McCaw (2nd Kilrea). On paper this looked to being a close game but with Paul and Smyth very strong at the front and both Johnston and McCaw in top form, the Loughanreagh four were always playing catch up. To their credit they battled on but in the end they succumbed losing 13 shots to four.

It was then the ladies’ chance to show their skills and in the triples J Jones/A McKee/D McCloy (Finvoy Pres) played M Campbell/C Murray/B O’Neill (St Colum’s). The first few ends were very tight with each team picking up shots on alternate ends. However the Finvoy triple proved the more consistent and ran out winners by 10 shots to six.

In Section A of the open pairs G Steele and A Steele (Loughanreagh) took on the formidable pairing of BT McAlary and J Martin (Marian). This proved to be the match of the evening with no quarter given or asked. Each end swayed from pair to pair; heads changed with practically every bowl. Scores were equal at seven shots playing the last end.

Gareth Steele then ditched the jack with his opening bowl and although the Marin pair tried to draw a winning bowl it was not to be and they went down eight shots to seven.

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In Section B of the open pairs U Brewster and N McMullan (Loughanreagh) were against A Cassley and D McCann (St Mary’s). This proved to be a one side affair and with both Cassley and McCann on song. Much as they tried Brewster and McMullan could not find the range and went down losing by 11 shots to two.

It was a club affair in the ladies singles final when the Finvoy Presbyterian pair of D McCloy and E McKee played. McKee went in to a six shot lead early on but not to be outdone McCloy showed her bowling skills to fight back to eight shots apiece. McKee kept her cool and showed that she also has the skill and especially the determination and eventually she took the trophy winning by 12 shots to nine.

After tea it was the final of the men’s triples. Again this was a club affair with all six players representing Loughanreagh. The young guns namely M Jamieson/A Irwin/I Ross took on the older guns of J Gault/E Irwin/A Steele. This was nip and tuck throughout with all six players showing how the game should be played. Heads were always tight with never more than two shots being won or lost in any one end.

It was mostly a drawing game but when a head had to be hit there was no hesitation. Going into the last end Steele’s triple required three shots to bring the game to a tie end. They only got one however so the young guns won by nine shots to seven.

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Before asking Mrs E Clyde to present the prizes, J McIlroy (Zone President) congratulated all players, winners and losers for putting on a fine performance of bowling. Jim thanked the many spectators for attending and supporting the finals. He also thanked Our Lady’s and St Patrick’s for the use of the hall and especially to John McKenna who had put down the mats.

Mr McIlroy then wished the zone convenor, Dennis Connolly, a speedy and complete recovery after his recent spell in hospital. On finishing Jim thanked the ladies for providing and serving the lovely cup of tea and cakes at half time. Mrs E Clyde presented the winners and losers with their vouchers, kindly sponsored by Stonebridge.

Section winners

National Singles - Section A - G Scott (Finvoy Pres); Section B - G McCloy (Finvoy Pres); Section C - D Morrow (Boveedy).

National Pairs - Section A G Steele/A Steele (Loughanreagh); Section B - A Cassley/D McCann (St Mary’s).

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National Triples - M Jamieson/A Irwin/I Ross (Loughanreagh).

National Fours - C Paul/I Smyth/M Johnston/N McCaw (2nd Kilrea).

Ladies Singles - E McKee (Finvoy Pres).

Ladies Pairs - J McClelland/M Sherrard (Kelly Mem).

Ladies Triples - J Jones/E McKee/D McCloy (Finvoy Pres).

Junior Singles - P Reynolds (Garvagh/ & District).

Junior Pairs - A McCloy (Finvoy Pres) and J White (Garvagh/Dist).

Over 55’s - C Mclernon/B Shaw (1st. Coleraine).