Triples for Amanda, Gordon and Raymond

AMANDA Carser, Hillsborough Social, and Gordon and Raymond Stubbs, Ballinderry, all recorded three wins when the finals of the Lisburn Zone qualifiers for the National Championships were played at Loughaghery Presbyterian Hall on Thursday night.

It was an excellent evening of bowls with several close games providing entertainment for the large audience.

In the all-Ballinderry National fours final, Ron Stubbs, Paul Reid, Gordon and Raymond Stubbs took a 4-0 lead over Albert Morrison, Noel Marsden, Eddie Marsden and Keith Morrison and though Morrison lifted a three his rink did not score again until eight ends, giving Stubbs a four shots win.

Sharon Marsden, Evelyn Marsden and Julie Marsden, Ballinderry, were 5-1 ahead in the ladies triples but Jennifer Nimmon, Amanda Carser and Jean Hamilton, Hillsborough Social came back to win.

One of the National pairs places went to Philip Dennison/Noel Graham, Loughaghery, who led 4-3 against Beth Wilson/Houston Dillon, Soldierstown, before Graham lifted a three and went on to win 9-4.

In the second pairs, Gordon Stewart/David Johnston, Soldierstown were 0-10 dpwn at five ends to Andy Riley/Nick Haire, but they won the remaining ends, though failing by a shot in the end.

It was a brother-sister confrontation in the junior singles with Amanda Carser, Hillsborough Social, leading brother, David, Seymour Hill 4-3 at the fourth and later 8-5 before winning 10-8 in a closely fought game.

When the Carsers met again in the pairs, Amanda Carser was joined by Nathan Kerr, Seymour Hill and they just edged home against David Carser and Craig Connery, Seymour Hill.

In the National singles there were three final places up for grabs and Raymond Stubbs, Ballinderry and Nigel Hamilton, Hillsborough Social, were level at 4-4 after six ends, but Stubbs finished with four singles to win.

Gordon Stubbs, Ballinderry and Dessie Hamilton, Hillsborough Social, were nip and tuck throughout their contest and it was Stubbs who won 9-8 in the end.

John Mackey, Soldierstown, was 4-1 ahead after four ends but 5-6 down to Nick Haire, Hillsborough Social, after seven ends. Haire added four more shots to win by five.

In the ladies singles, Jean Hamilton, Hillsborough Social, was 4-1 up at the fourth but Marie Corey, Aghagallon, led 6-4 two ends later and after Hamilton lifted a three the Aghagallon bowler came back to win 11-7.

Elizabeth Mawhinney/Patricia Halliday, Annahilt Parish, were 5-2 ahead at the fourth but Agnes Creaney/Mona Byrne, St Clare’s, won the remaining ends to record an 11-7 victory.

The over-55 pairs was level at 4-4 after five ends, but Eddie and Noel Marsden, Ballinderry came back from 5-6 down to beat Richard Martin/Johnston Dunlop, Soldierstown 11-7. The National triples saw Ron, Gordon and Raymond Stubbs, Ballinderry, lead for nine ends against Andy Riley, Nathan and Nick Haire, Hillsborough Social and at the last end Haire needing a four to draw level could only manage a three.