Mid Down Conquer Champions

The home team have came out of a large group of teams to show that the gap between the top ladies teams and the chasing pack is narrowing and if the top teams do not perform to their best then the others are ready to take full advantage. Mid Down showed they cannot be taken lightly and have now given their team an excellent chance of reaching the final and challenging for the trophy.

This was a compelling tie from start to finish. In two of the match-ups counts of four and three were required to come from behind and take last end victories, one for Mid Down the other for Western.

A huge count of seven on the sixth end of mat3 gave the home side the impetus in an otherwise very tight overall game. L Lusty’s rink were in fine form and doubled their score with that count of seven to lead 14-1. They then consolidated over the concluding ends when only singles were scored and despite Western winning three of these ends it made little impact on their deficit.

On mat1 the home four skipped by C Tumelty went into the tenth end two shots adrift but claimed four shots to not only extend Mid Down’s overall lead but also to take a last gasp rink win to deflate Western further.

Western were disappointed to have lost that rink in the final end but P Harpur’s four continued to battle in the third match-up even though the team had suffered some setbacks on the other two rinks and the fact that her foursome trailed by two shots going into the last end. The visitors focused on their game ignoring the happenings around them to take three shots, a rink win by one shot but more importantly to give the visitors a small lift prior to the commencement of the second half games.

C Tumelty 9 v C Scott 7

E McKinley 8 v P Harpur 9

L Lusty 15 v J Parkinson 4

Interval score – Mid Down 32 v Western 20

The current champions have shown great character over the past two seasons and had the capability to overturn the deficit if the remaining three Mid Down rinks were off their game. The nerves were starting to fray for the home support and team when the Western rink skipped by E Foster claimed consecutive counts of five and four in ends three and four to open an eight shot lead [10-2] and considerably reduce the overall deficit. 

With the scores even on mat5 after four ends the home four with R Gibson at the helm threw a counter punch to take a 7-2 lead. It was a very important time in the overall game as Western had changed the momentum into their favour. This count for Mid Down only eased the nerves slightly as Western continued to fight to reduce the deficit. The next five ends were evenly matched as the homesters got over the finish line by four shots.

The match between P Rice and G Stevenson was closely contested but a lead of four shots for Western with two ends to go ensured that the last two ends were of vital importance. Taking into consideration the lead Western had on Mat1 and this four shot deficit for the home side on this mat the outcome of the overall game was now in the balance. The home four withstood the attack of Western to win the last two ends scoring three shots to lose by a solitary shot and relieve the pressure. 

Many rinks would have succumbed under the early onslaught of Western on mat4 but to the credit of the home quartet they dug deep and continued to battle eventually outscoring their opponents over the last six ends by six shots to four. Five consecutive singles were scored to give Western a ten shot lead with the overall score standing at 52-48. Western had to chase the shots to try and force a tie end or a unforgettable win but the home foursome held their composure and played tactical bowls to finish with a count of five. Both rinks have to be commended, the Western rink for opening up the game and giving the three second half rinks the opportunity to set-up a comeback while the home four showed determination  by fighting for every shot in aid of the overall team.

A McElnea 8 v E Forster 14
R Gibson 10 v J Carson 6
P Rice 7 v G Stevenson 8 

Final Score: Mid Down 57 Western 48

What a game proving how intriguing ladies bowls can be. Mid Down now travel to fierce rivals South Down and the atmosphere should be electric. Mid Down have put in a least one very good performance over the past three years but have been unable to sustain good form through the rounds. This second win in a row should now help with their confidence that they have nothing to fear in their next game and if they perform to this standard have a opportunity to take a final berth.

Dramatic Finish Completes Remarkable Comeback 
(click here for photos) 
Mid Ulster entertained South Down and made all the early running. After five ends they led 7-2 on mat1 after taking a five shot lead by winning the first three ends. It was even better on mat2 for the home side as Mary B Higgins guided her rink to a 10-4 lead after changing the head considerably in her favour on the third end to claim five shots. South Down had the advantage after four ends on mat3 however they dropped four shots to trail by one shot at the halfway stage.

The encounter on mat1 between B Davidson and B Flanaghan was a tremendous game with many excellent bowls being played to change heads and at seven ends South Down had came back to level sharing fourteen shots. A single for either rink over the next two ends set-up a last end decider. South Down took the initiative when N McKevitt at second drew a very good bowl to get a toucher settling four inches in front of the jack. Up stepped Denise McHugh again to deliver a perfect bowl, a toucher that rested right behind the jack. Bridget Davidson then added a second with a very good bowl to win by two shots (10-8). McHugh stepped up to third and never looked out of her depth being the player of the rink who delivered more telling bowls than any others on the rink.

Higgins continued to change several heads from a negative into a positive and was the main reason her rink won by eight shots. (14-6). Mid Ulster may have snatched the lead on mat3 on the fifth end but it was only a signal of what was to come as they won the next four ends with singles to be in front 9-4 going into the tenth end. They then supplied what appeared at the time to be the killer blow collecting a count of five in the last end to win 14-4 to increase Mid Ulster’s overall advantage to 20 shots. This MU foursome won six consecutive ends scoring nine shots without reply.

Half Time: Mid Ulster 38 – South Down 18

A game is never over till its over nor is a game ever officially won by halftime but Mid Ulster had this game in the bag and only an unforeseen disaster would deprive them of a home tie in the semi-final.

South Down struck the first significant blow of the second half lifting a count of five on the first end on the middle mat. In the context of the match it made little difference at the time as both other rinks were close games.

South Down kept plugging away and although the deficit had been halved to ten shots the home side were containing their opponents and still in control of the game. Then suddenly the nerves set in as the deficit fell to only five shots after 7,7 & 8 ends had been completed  across the mats. In a close game on mat4 South Down had edged in front with some excellent running bowls by Ethna Smyth who was on top form (4-6). South Down had made massive inroads on mat5 leading 1-14. On mat6 A Grant delivered a very important bowl on the eighth end, she was at least two down after some very good drawing bowls by the home side but she could see the jack and went for it and accurately trailed it into the ditch for shot and an important turn around of three shots.

Then on mat4 Mrs Smyth struck again, she was three down but unperturbed she attacked the head spraying the home bowls and ending up lying three shots herself. She then proceeded to draw a fourth shot and the overall score now stood at 49-48 for Mid Ulster. The pressure was now on everybody and it was a matter of who would rise to the challenge and produce the decisive bowls.

Despite the deflating scoreline on mat5 an opportunity arose to trail the jack for a count of six, the bowl was all or nothing and resulted in a loss of four shots to put South Down ahead in the match for the first time (3 shots) and leading 1-18 on this mat.

The concluding ends on each mat were tense but Sheila Anderson played very well as she stood in at skip to control he emotions and undoubted nerves to win 8-6 on mat6.

On the ninth end on mat4 Smyth looked to have ambushed the home four yet again running at the head accurately to take the shot off Mid Ulster. G Wright responded under pressure of the situation to ditch the jack and claim shot. South Down then claimed a single on the final end to win 5-11.

The match seemed to have swung back in favour of Mid Ulster as they scored a three on mat5 in the ninth end. There was now only one individual end remaining and Mid Ulster lead by two shots 55-53.

South Down drew the closer bowls in the final end to leave the pressure firmly on the Mid Ulster skip for the umpteenth time. The South Down skip made a mistake by widening the head with her first bowl and although the Mid Ulster skip hit the bowl and took it out of the head she did not get the angle she was hoping for and ran through the head for South Down to snatch a remarkable comeback victory.

Great excitement and such is the nature of sport that were there is delight at winning, these type of endings also bring utter despair for the losers.

Rink1: M Davidson, A Barnes, D McHugh & B Davidson 10 v L McMahon, N McKevitt, B Fleming & B Flanaghan 8

Rink2: M Mallon, O Allen, M Lagan & MB Higgins 14 v K Magee, M Burns, M Ryan & O Galloway 6

Rink3: S Trainor, A McEldowney, P Barnes & K McKenna 14 v R Glavin, J McClurg, M McAnuff & B Walsh 4

Rink4: I Colvin, H Greer, G Simms & E Wright 5 v R Corrigan, R Campbell, L Young & E Smyth 11

Rink5: O Kyle, J Wilson, M Paul & K Pitts 4 v C Gray, B Smyth, S Rice & E McKenna 21

Rink6: J Carson, D Young, E Slaine & S Anderson 8 v L Burns, P Magennis, A Pinnington & A Grant 6 
Mid Ulster 55 – 56 South Down

Armagh 64 – 43 Oriel 
Armagh were in top form as they out played Oriel who are still falling well short of the performances with which they won the title in 2007. Armagh were ruthless and are the team to beat, if they can repeat this form for another two games they should be holding the trophy aloft at the end of the season.

South Tyrone 51 – 61 West Down 
South Tyrone continue to be an enigma unable to reproduce two very good performances one after the other in this main competition. West Down meanwhile are quietly going about their business and are making the most of the opportunities to penalise opposition and win difficult games.

Semi-finals on Saturday 17th January 2009.

Armagh at home to West down
South Down at home to Mid Down.

Shield

North Eastern 62 beat Donegal 36 {report by Fiery Fred}  
North Eastern’s win was based on a poor display by Donegal in the first half, with their front end players leaving substantial pressure on their thirds and skips on the slick swinging mats in Dunluce Parish Hall. Facing a deficit of 22 shots after the interval, Donegal needed to make a positive start to the second half but, with North Eastern holding firm during the first 5 ends and Donegal still facing a 23 shot deficit, the game frittered out to a well deserved North Eastern win.

M. Clyde J. Burns P. Johnston M. McGill v M. Sullivan A. McKinlay S. Bell A. Gilfillan: 13-7 (6-4 @ 5e)

M. Scott M. McAuley R. Gault A. McKillop v C. Wilson R. McCausland M. Mullin R. Hamilton: 15-3 (9-1 @ 5e)

M. Martin D. Hughes R. Johnston L. McKillop v M. Witherow M. Witherow R. Crawford E. Doherty: 10-6 (4-5 @ 5e)

E. Moore M. Robinson A. Burns J. Dowds v J. Buchanan K. Duggan V. Patterson T. Spence: 5-7 (3-3 @ 5e)

O. Gault M. Huey N. O’Kane A. Elliott v P. Lyttle R. Dowds P. Bustard I. Duncan: 8-5 (2-5 @ 5e)

E. McLernon G. Colvin S. McCandless J. Sharpe v D. Montgomery R. Graham M. McClintock M. Montgomery: 11-8 (7-3 @ 5e)

Score at interval38 - 16
Score in second half24 - 20

 
Cork lose at home to North West
East Belfast lose at home to Lisburn

Semi-finals (17.1.09): North Eastern v North West, Monaghan v Lisburn