Armagh on course to retain title

Armagh ladies looked to have their toughest test to date in their quest to retain the ladies inter-zone championship when they played 2008 champions Western in the quarter finals. however Armagh raised their game to a new level coming away with an impressive victory almost outscoring their opponents 2:1.

Armagh 63 v Western 35

This result could be an indication of how far ahead Armagh are of the rest of the zones. The title is theirs to lose, only an off day and a top notch display will deprive them of successive championships.

In the semi final Armagh will travel to south Tyrone who are starting to live up to their potential. South Tyrone have been successful in the shield competition in the recent past but have been hampered by inconsistency and unavailability. When they have their full strength team available they can compete with the best.

Donegal were the visitors to South Tyrone in the quarter finals and a close game was anticipated between two evenly matched teams. The hosts took control of the game in the first half as a result of J McCosker's rink claiming a 12 shot win. In the second period Anne McKiver's foursome continued the impressive home form as they overcame a strong visting rink. This result is a step forward for South Tyrone and should be a boost to their confidence. They have many talented individuals but they will require all 24 players to be on their game for the semi-final showdown with Armagh. If they can keep the first half scoreline close then will be in with a chance of an upset.

SOUTH TYRONE 55 v DONEGAL 36

J McCosker 16 v I Duncan 4

A Herron 5 v E Doherty 12

K Daly 8 v T Spence 3

C Campbell 7 v A Gilfillan 9

A McKiver 12 v R Crawford 1

I Eldon 7 v M Montgomery 7

Last season's surprise package Mid Down travelled to 2007 champions Oriel and came up against an in-form side. Mid down reached the final last year but their dreams of a repeat ended in the first period as the rinks skipped by G Roullier and R Brennan opened a 21 shot home advantage. There was little rest bite for the visitors in the second half as the three home rinks maintained the pressure to win on all three mats. This was a massive improvement by the home side and the performance was probably their best since their win in 2007. They have never approached the performance level of 2007 in the previous two competitions but there are signs that they are coming back to their best. Oriel have surprisingly gone backwards from their championship year but if they have now conquered their inconsistency then they can be a force.

Oriel 80 v Mid Down 29

G Roullier 18 v R Wylie 4

R Brennan 13 v C Tumelty 4

M Carrol 9 v E McKinley 11

Half time 40 v 11

I Hanratty 15 v P Rice 2

M Martin 17 v A McCreanor 4

C McMahon 8 v K Woodside 4

Mid Tyrone 69 v North West 57
In the semi final Oriel will be at home to Mid Tyrone who have considerably improved over the past few seasons and are playing their best bowls for many years. They are a team unit who are talented enough to compete at the top as they proved with their win over North West. It is refreshing to see a zone making such impressive strides forward and if they show a determined attitide and put fear to one side then they could be surprise contenders. North West are far from the force they were but are still a handful on their day and a win against them is still a significant achievement. Mid Tyrone should not be underestimated.

The favourites for the title are Armagh but Oriel are every bit as talented. Armagh are assured to produce a decent level of performance while Oriel are more up and down.

The Tyrones are outsiders but they have the capabilities of being solid units who are hard to beat. If their players can gel as rinks then both teams could yet meet in the final.