Men's Inter-zone Championship - Semi finals

There are two exciting semi finals ahead as 2010 winners Mid Ulster take on the surprise package of the season North Down at their home venue of St Swithin's, Magherafelt and Oriel who promise so much each year entertain a resurgent Lisburn in Cooley.

While Mid Ulster are clear favourites having comfortably defeated the same opposition in last season's competition they will be well aware that North Down are realizing their potential this year as a complete unit.

Mid Ulster set the standard for this competition with a record of five successive wins around the beginning of the century. They then had a frustratingly barren period until 2010 when they crawled over the finish line to claim the title. They fell well short of the 2010 performances last year and were comfortably beaten at the quarter final stage on their home mats.

A new found resolve, a few home truths and some hit and miss selections have helped to stumble across a balanced unit and for the first time this year they retain a settled side.

North Down selectors have brought in a new front end on the rink skipped by the evergreen and ever tenacious Robert Hastings. It is expected that Robert will be sent out in the first half to be the standard bearer to rally the rest behind him. Much will depend on the first half rinks of North Down. If they can get on a roll then the spirit and enthusiasm of their younger second half players will be hard to contain. they will not be daunted if it comes down to the last few ends and their fearlessness may produce fear in the more experienced Mid Ulster side.

Oriel are full of promise but have yet to deliver. They are a side that is striving for the right balanced formula. Their talent and desire to win is obvious and being a smaller zone they have a team spirit that many envy and when they get the combinations right they will be a true force in the game. Expectation will be high for the Hanlon rink after their demolition of North West however expectation brings added pressure can this rink conjure up the same performance level. Oriel's first three rinks could be surprised if Lisburn play a tactical game and bring one of their big hitting rinks onto the first half.
Oriel's talisman is undoubtedly Kevin Conroy who is in excellent form however much will depend on their other five skips and how they react when momentum goes against them. Producing the goods when under the cosh is more telling than doing it when your rink are on top. Their trumps cards could be the reliability of their thirds.

Lisburn for years have had proven hardened competition winners however the unity of the team has always been questionable. Experienced players like Dessie Hamilton, Nigel Hamilton and Noel Graham have brought a quiet assurance to the team and their example on how to win has greatly enhanced Lisburn and helped to mould them into potential challengers. This game will decide if they are to become contenders.
Lisburn have had to make one enforced change due to unavaiability with A Morrison coming in, perhaps on the same rink as son Keith which would mean adjustments to a couple of rinks from the last game. Stevie Mulholland was a surprise omission from the early game but having been drafted into the team for the quarter final and continuing the very good form he has show this year he keeps his place. The backend combinations look strong; the only query would be that Neil Mulholland and Noel Graham are playing third and not skip. If their unheralded front ends create pressure on the opposition those coming behind have the ability to capitalise if, and it is a considerable if, they maintain their focus throughout the game.
Considerable pressure will be on the rinks that Lisburn decide to put out in the first half, will they be able to hold fast against the early onslaught from the Oriel front ends and their positive play? Paul Reid and Ray Stubbs will relish this type of game and Dessie Hamilton has seen it all but outside of these three and Noel Graham who excels in the big game atmosphere can the others raise their game? No pressure there is only a spot in the final of the best team competition in bowls up for grabs.

Shield

Mid Antrim are firm favourites to progress to the final at the expense of outsiders Meath. Mid Antrim have been forced to make a couple of changes due to unavailability and while the heart of one rink has been removed those who are stepping in will relish the chance of cementing a place for the final. Mid Antrim selectors reluctantly made difficult decisions for the last game and it proved successful to the extent that some are wondering 'what if' they had of been brave enough to make those decision at the beginning of the season. It is a pity that they are missing one of their stalwarts who still had a tremendous amout to offer in his new position.

Watch out for Andrew Morrison, Wesley Caldwell and Ricky Rodgers all who are excelling at present.

Meath will be looking forward to this encounter as opportunities to play in a big game semi final rarely comes their way due to the intransigence of the IIBA to change the shield and use it to promote bowls in the smaller zones. Meath do not have the personnel of others zones and are often prevented from putting out their best side due to unavailability. However what they lack in match competitiveness they make up for with a happy go lucky spirit which is lwelcoming as a breath of fresh air. Enjoyment is top of their agenda and it is rarely they go away disappointed from a game.