Seaforde machine on target

5 December 2018

SO close for the Saints in this first round tie as they had the league leaders on the ropes for much of this match, with it only being decided on the final run of games.

After last week’s below par performance against the same opposition, the home side battled better in keeping the games tight as Francie McGreevy lost narrowly 4-3 to Derek McCann and Des McAuley lost 6-2 to David Boal.

The next run of games saw another tight away win, this time Graham Christie beating Collie Brown 7-6. The Saints registered their first win through the rink skipped by Raymond Gelston as they scored steadily in their 6-3 defeat of Peter Christie.

At half-time there was little to separate the sides as Seaforde held a narrow three shot lead. After tea the home rink of Liz Kennedy, Anne McLoughlin, Maurice Cullen and Raymond Gelston completed their great night, not losing an end in their 9-0 win over the away Boal four.

On the other mat the McCann rink responded with a 9-3 win over the home Brown rink. This meant that the match was all square going into the last games. It was to be the Christie brothers that would come to Seaforde’s rescue as they both won their games with Peter (6-2) beating Des McAuley and Graham beating Francie McGreevy (6-4) to win the match by six shots.

Once again St Macartan's have proved that they can hold their own against the bigger teams and will hope to carry the form into the remaining cup ties.

ST MACARTAN'S 35

SEAFORDE YFC 41

THE home side continued on where they left off last week with another fine performance to give themselves a chance of progressing out of this group.

The first run of games ended up shared as Niall Polley won 5-3 against Stephen Boden while Jennifer McClure hit back for the visitors (5-2) against Andy Campbell.

The next two games were also close as the home side won both through a 5-3 win for Hugh Porter over Pam Trohear and Liam Sharvin claiming a shot on the last end to win 4-3 against Liam Fitzpatrick.

Only two shots separated the sides at half-time, so all still to play for. After tea the match remained close as St Michael’s, Jennifer McClure won 3-2 against the Sharvin rink, having had two tied ends.

The home Porter rink hit back with a 6-2 win over Stephen Boden to go five shots up overall. In the final two games the home side really pushed home the advantage as the rink of Oliver Sharvin, Eileen Watson, Geraldine and Andy Campbell had a good 11-2 win over the Fitzpatrick rink.

The rink skipped by Niall Polley along with Raymond Kearney, Mildred Croskery and Sean Deegan completed the match by not losing an end in their 9-0 victory over the Trohear four.

BRIGHT 44

ST MICHAEL’S D/DRUM 21

GROUP B

THE Golfers made the trip to Annalong knowing they were facing a side on a run of form and their own form not so good, but came away with a good 15 shot victory.

Norman Gordon got the home side of to a good start with an 8-4 win over Collie Gibson, but the away rink of Colette Fitzsimons, Jimmy Fitzsimons, Des Curran and David Gibson won their game 10-0 against Bridget Smith.

Marina took control on the next run as Jim McConnell had an 8-3 win over Alan Telford and Joey Chambers won 9-4 over Liam Higgins to leave them four up overall at the break.

After tea David Gibson gave the visitors the lead with his 9-2 win after the other game between Jim McConnell and Collie Gibson finished all square at 4-4. With only three shots the difference in favour of the visitors could Marina once again hit back on the final run?

The answer would be no, as Liam Higgins led his rink to a comfortable 10-3 win against the home Smith four and Alan Telford, also having a win 6-1 over Norman Gordon to secure a good away win, which leaves Marina facing a challenge to progress from the group.

MARINA 35

ST PATRICK’S GC 50

DRUMAROAD started this match well as Kevin Walsh secured a 4-3 win over Kieran McMullan and Thomas Walsh had an 8-7 win against Neil Brown.

The Saints set about getting the match on their side as Paddy Murray led his rink to a 9-3 win over Ian McKeown, while the rink of Donna Raybould, Sheila Ward, Jacqui Henderson and Tony Ward were having a 9-1 win over Harry Addis to leave the home side 12 shots up at half-time.

After the break the Ward rink won again, this time by a close 5-4 against Thomas Walsh and the Murray rink completed their double with a 7-3 victory over Kevin Walsh. Playing the last games St Mary’s were holding a 17 shot advantage.

Kieran McMullan and his rink of Stevie Brown, Pat Rooney and Alan Adair made up for their earlier loss by having an 8-2 win over the McKeown rink. The visitors' Harry Addis, along with Noelle McKeown, A McDonald and Maire Scullion, played some good bowls in their 8-3 win over the Brown four.

ST MARY’S, K/LEAGH 51

DRUMAROAD 33

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