Report on the first 3 ends

 

Everyone was expecting a close run affair but the tale of the 1st three ends was anything but close. South Tyrone were all over Oriel especially Michelle Martin's rink who ran into an unstoppable Peggy Cairns.  They began by dropping 3 shots in the 1st end and then two singles back to back.

Gill was having a great tussle with Kay Daly and after 3 ends was 2-1 down. The addition of Andrea definitely seemed to improve this rink.

Margaret Carrol like Michelle started of very badly 3-1 down after 3 ends.

9 shots down after 3 ends hopefully things could only improve.

Report on the 4th-7th end

 

In the 4th end Michelle finally got off the board picking up a count of 2 shots and Gill's picked up a fantastic 4 shots. Margaret’s rink was struggling and after 7 ends were 5 shots back losing 7-2. In the 6th end Michelle may have thrown the most important bowl of the game. She had 5 shots against her and cool as you like drew in for shot. Even Peggy Cairns extended her hand in a show of true sportsmanship. The 7th end was also crucial as Michelle holding shot fired into the head and picked up 5 shots. She had now turned her game around from 5-0 down to 8-6 up. Gills rink continued the pressure and after 7 ends lead 7-4. The score was now all level

Report on the 8th-10th end

 

Michelle's rink ended up losing the 8th and 9th end to singles but after a fantastic firing shot by Marion ended up picking up a count of 3 shots to win 11-8. Margaret’s rink also picked up a count of 2 shots to eventually lose 10-5. Gill picked up 3 shots to Kay Daly's 2. This left the match on a knife-edge with Oriel leading by two shots at half time. Many played well in the first half for Oriel but undoubtedly the player of the 1st half was Michelle Martin

 

Could Oriel continue their pressure and seal victory or would South Tyrone spoil the party?

Report on the first 3 ends

 

Oriel began brightly in the 1st run of ends, extending their lead to 7 shots. South Tyrone struck back to pick up three singles in the 2nd end. Imelda's rink looked likely to extend Oriels lead again but Margaret McGrath had an outrageous fluke, to pick up a count of two shots. But Rachel's rink restored Oriels' lead of 4 shots. Carols rink then extended it to 5. Still all to play for at this stage and while Rachel was winning well Collette Campbell was getting chances for counts and missing them.

Would this cost South Tyrone?

or

Would Oriel cruise to victory?

Report on the 4th-7th end

 

Rachel's rink was exerting relentless pressure on Collette. With Mary O'Hare playing phenomenal bowls and Rachel on top of her game it looked likely that this rink could nearly carry Oriel over the line by themselves. They extended their lead from 4-1 to 8-1. Carol on the other hand turned the game on its head not once but twice. She dropped a count of 5 shots in the 4th end to let South Tyrone right back into the game and with Imelda dropping 3 shots South Tyrone went into the lead by1 for the 1st time in the 2nd half. Carol struck back picking up 6 shots in the 7th end. This gave Oriel the lead they needed.

Report on the 8th-10th end

 

In the last few ends Rachel stretched Oriels lead by picking up counts in the 8^th and 9^th end to lead 13-1, with 1 end to go. Imelda picked up 2 shots in the 8th end to take Oriels lead to its biggest margin of 12. Unfortunately Imelda dropped 3 shots in the last 2 ends and Rachel dropped a 4 in the last end. Carol dropped 2 in the 7th end to reduce Oriels lead even further to just 4 shots. Would Oriel drop the ball and loose what looked like an unsalable lead. The answer was no! Carol managed to pick up 4 shots, to lead by 8, with 1 end to go.

Oriel had regained the title which they won in 2007 and became one of the most successful teams in recent history. Gerry gladly accepted the cup on behalf of the zone and handed it the Lady Captain Gill. There were many candidates for player of the match but I decided to give it to the team. It was an all round brilliant team performance and hopefully next year they can do the same. This year the team made drastic changes giving 5 new players run outs and this paid off. Again Congratulations.