Struggling in league

LISNAGARVEY 85(6)

LURGAN seniors continue to struggle in the league.

They travelled the short distance to Lisnagarvey on Saturday and their recent worrying run of results continued which threatens to drag them into a relegation battle.

The team’s only consolation is that the teams below were unable to punish this poor form. Lurgan started the game quite well and were ahead in the early stages, leading 24-21 after five ends.

The recent trend continued as ‘Garvey took over and took the lead which they never lost. Lurgan battled valiantly and took the match result to the last few bowls across two rinks but it was a bridge to far, leaving the team with only a solitary point.

On rink one Stephen Poots, Reece Millar, Billy Martin and skip Mansell Montgomery led 9-7 at the ninth end when Lisnagarvey, under skip N. Graham, took three shots to lead 10-9 which they never lost again.

The Lurgan four didn’t make it easy for Graham though playing some superb bowls throughout, Lisnagarvey eventually winning 20-15.

On rink two Ivor Mitchell, Alan Briggs, Kris Matchett and skip Harry Cosgrove fell behind quickly, trailing 11-5 after five ends and struggled through the midway point, trailing 19-12 against skip K Morrison.

Skip Cosgrove inspired his rink to fight back and over the remaining ends Lurgan chipped away at the lead to bring the game back to 22-22 going into the last end.

As the last end on this rink was drawing to a conclusion Lurgan were four shots down across the green. With his last bowl Cosgrove drew a fourth shot on the end so with only Morrison to bowl Lurgan were level.

However heartbreak would follow as Morrison played at the head with weight and when the jack settled it was beside two Lisnagarvey bowls securing the rink point 24-22 and the match for Lisnagarvey.

On rink three Gareth Bunting, Pete McGrail, Bobby Ruddell and skip Alan Roberts were level at four each with the Lisnagarvey rink skipped by Neill Mulholland.

However consecutive four shot ends turned this game in the home team’s favour and they were 18-6 in front at the halfway point.

On a day that the Lurgan four will want to put behind them Lisnagarvey continued to pile on the pressure, running out comfortable 30-12 victors.

On rink four Bobby Boness, Ronnie McCullough, Seamus Skelton and skip David Beattie took command of this rink early, scoring nine shots in the opening three ends.

Lisnagarvey, under skip I. Craig, fought hard to try to steady his rink although the Lurgan four never allowed the home team to settle as they led 16-6 at the halfway point.

Knowing that this high rink score could win the overall match, Lurgan continued to score heavily eventually winning 26-11 securing what proved to be the only point for Lurgan.