Oriel Zone Nationals

Report on Oriel's National Finals (Sponsored by Stonebridge Resteraunt Group)

Written by Dermie

Monday, 23 November 2009 03:20

DSCF0660

After all the qualifying nights held before Christmas, the finals of the Stonebridge National Finals for Oriel were held in Kilcurry on Friday the 15th of February. If the qualfying nights were anything to go by we were in for a special nights bowling. The question was who was brave enough to reach Ballymoney.

National Singles

Carol McMahon had a fierce battle with Gerry Crosby which could have gone either way. After beating Gerry in the National Rinks semi-final earlier Gerry wanted revenge. It came to tied end last end were there was a feast of running at the jack. Neither could take it in and Carol with her last bwl drew to the line after Gerry had drawn earlier which took the match.

Winner of Qualifying Section A: Carol McMahon

DSCF0646

Probably the tie of the round was Gerry McCabe against Paul Duff. Paul raced into an early lead and with 3 end to go lead 11-4. Gerry's defence of his title that he won last year lokked over. Gerry attitude of its never over till the fat lady sings was evident when he burst into action by picking up 4 shots then 3 to tie the match playing the last end. Was Gerry about to play another "Get out of jail free card" The answer was yes. He burried the jack to 6 inches and while Paul was very close to drawing to the jack, he just missed which left Gerry victorious

Winner of Qualifying Section B: Gerry McCabe

DSCF0643

While the other two matches where very close this encounter between Paddy Hanlon and Oliver Donaldson was anything but with Paddy showing everyone why he is one of the form bowlers in the zone by beating Oliver with an end to spare

Winner of Qualifying Section C: Paddy Hanlon

DSCF0653

National Pairs

Jim Fox and Michael Hand versus John Murnaghan and Paddy Hanlon between last years winners as there was two pairs through to Ballymoney last year. This was a fantastic game of bowls that could have gone either way. With two ends to go Michael was 6-4 down and had to burn the jack twice to stay in the game. In the third re-played end Michael managed to get 2 shots to tie the match playing the last end. Michael played ma wonder bowl to lie match and John was unable to get shot with his last bowl.

Winner of Pairs: Jim Fox and Michael Hand

After Paul's devastating defeat in the National Singles could we recuperate by winning the National Trips or could Jim and Michael double up. Again like the singles and pairs it was all level last end. Paul held shot with Michael playing the last bowl. Michael missed which left Patsy Andrew and Paul victorious.

Winner of Trips: Patsy Duff Andrew Meegan Paul Duff

The rinks was brought down to the semi-finals. Gerrys rink beat Biillys rink and Carol McMahon's rinkbeat Gerry Crosby's rink. Carol playing with Brendan Jimmy and Maureen began well against Gerry Kevin Fra anf Fra Snr, taking a 4-0 lead. But Gerry's rink was to strong and in the end cruised to victory.