Tournament success is Hobson’s choice

IAN Hobson was crowned as the first winner of the County Antrim open singles torunament, held last week at the Jim Baker Stadium.

A total of 204 players entered the competition and it was Hobson, who is well known in bowling administration circles as the new South Tyrone zone convenor, who emerged victorious.

En route to the final, Hobson accounted for tournament kingpin Alan Paul in the semi-final, ensuring that the Irish international wouldn’t follow up his triumph in the recent Moneyglass tournament with another title.

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In a closely contested final, Hobson saw off James Gaston (First Broughshane) by two shots, the decisive moment coming with two ends left when Hobson recorded a count of four to take a lead which he never relinquished.

The organisers have thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament.

Results from the various qualifying sections were:

Section A – Semi-finals: T Mcaleavy (Cookstown high) bt D Walker (St Colmans Dervock); A Tennant (Boveedy) bt B Trimble (St Brigids Gengormley). Final: Tennant bt McAleavey.

Section B – semi-finals: R Kennedy (ALBC) bt W Adair (2nd Donegore); G Smith (Cookstown High) bt D Scott (Garvaghy Pres). Final: Smith bt Kennedy.

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Section C – semi-finals: A Johnston (St Pats Donaghcloney) bt K Teague (Moneyglass); T Quinn (Moortown) bt G Robinson (Michelin). Final: Johnston bt Quinn.

Section D – semi-finals: R O’Neill (United Services) bt A Sufferin (Maghera Pres); W Caldwell (Michelin) bt G McClarnon (Portglenone CC). Final: O’Neill bt Caldwell.

Section E – semi-finals: L Harrison (United Services) bt J McWhirter (Michelin); M McCullough (Killymurris Glarryford) bt J McKenny (Dromara). Final: Harrison bt McCullough.

Section F – semi-finals: A Paul (Cookstown High) bt A McComb (Broughshane PFA); C Dunwoody (Aughintober) bt S McGlinchey (St Josephs Kildress). Final: Paul bt Dunwoody.

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Section G – semi-finals: P Beattie (St Marks) bt D Turtle (Broughshane PFA); D Witherspoon (All Saints Larne) bt G Scott (Killyman). Final: Witherspoon bt Beattie.

Section H – semi-finals: J Beattie (Drumgor) bt D Grimes (St Josephs Kildress); R Gamble (2nd Limavady) bt P Campbell (Bangor). Final: Beattie bt Gamble.

Section I – semi-finals: A Hunter (1st Broughshane) bt S Beggs (All Saints Larne); I Hobson (Dungannon) bt P Canning (Bangor). Final: Hobson bt Hunter.

Section J – semi-finals: L McHugh (Cookstown Parochial) bt D Morrison (1st Ahoghill); D McNamara (Spa Golf club) bt W Fullerton (Old Bleach). Final: McNamara bt McHugh.

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Section K – semi-finals: R Beattie (Kinghan) bt I Craig (Gallaher); J Gaston (1st Broughshane) bt J Glackin (Donegal). Final: Gaston bt Beattie.

Section L – semi-finals: J McMahon (Carrickmacross) bt K Tinney (Ray Pres, Donegal); E Crawford (Mossley) bt T Johnston (St Josephs Kildress). Final: McMahon bt Crawford.

FINALS NIGHT

Preliminary round: Gaston 7, Witherspoon 5; Beattie 11, Smith 4; Tennant 12, O’Neill 5.

Quarter-finals: Gaston 9, Beattie 8; McNamara 10, Tennant 7; Paul 8, Johnston 6; Hobson 9, McMahon 8.

Semi-finals: Gaston 10, McNamara 7; Hobson 11, Paul 8.

Final: Hobson 11, Gaston 9.