Connoisseur Bowls - A Finals Day for the Purist

Bowling of the highest calibre was evident in the shortmat finals day in Richhill. Over the past number of years it has been evident on finals day that the game has changed tact with many more players now adopting a more attacking approach to the game. This trait can be over played and it can be argued that it degenerates the shortmat game into one of target bowls. From a drawing quality perspective this must rate as one of the best finals days in recent record. The weighted shots were played with control and not all out power so the skill level involved could not have been higher. The players had to be precise and accurate particularly with the weight as the slightest ounce heavy and the bowl would not draw as anticipated yet perfect weight and the finish was there. The number of touchers and precision bowls to build heads was top class and it was a day that the connoisseur would be proud. This does not mean that the all round game was not displayed as a few heads were killed and a few jacks ditched but this was not prevalent during the day which made drawing bowls the champion of the day.

As is normally associated with shortmat bowls the games were played in a magnificent sporting manner by both the players and spectators alike. Spectators will always have their favourites but their impartiality on the day was on show with the appreciative clapping of good bowls no matter who played them. As with most sports there were almost as many differing opinions as to who would win as there was people but the unpredictability of shortmat is one of the intriguing aspects of the game. On the day the players exhibited the full range of emotions. Some will be disappointed by their performances but from a spectators point of view none of the players let themselves nor their team down. There were contributions from all players and sometimes one has to be more circumspect and realise that it was good bowling from the opposition that won the titles. Bad bowling did not lose any of the nine finals, quality won on the day.

Mat1 – Ladies Triples

Two contrasting triples although both have skips who go all shapes and have numerous facial expressions as their bowl progresses down the mat and who get even more animated as the bowl reaches the head. Both are fun to watch in their own right and are a delightful sideshow to the bowls, how they do not do themselves an injury is a testament to their suppleness.

The contrast was in the experience and demeanour. The Mid Tyrone side was skipped by Wendy Sterritt [who has experience as a winning skip in the ladies fours championship] and who would be more reserved and serious looking. Rae, leading the Donegal triple has won two previous ladies titles but be more laid back and smiley sidekicks, Rachel & Ruth are usually in the shadow of male members of their respective families. A win would end all that and put them to the fore with their names being remembered. The Donegal Rs [Rueful Rae, Racy Rachel and Right Ruth], won the first end then lost the next two to trail 3-1. They were also in trouble in the next end but then Rachel raced at the head as she is not backward in doing and hit the head perfectly to spring the jack off the side of the mat. It was a worthwhile strike as 3Rs claimed a count of four on the replayed end. Wily Wendy was not put off and hit back immediately to level the game. Alternate doubles had the scoreboard read 7-7 after seven ends. Then Right Ruth changed the course of the game, Wendy had drawn shot but with the last bowl of the end Ruth managed to edge it out sufficiently to claim another brace. From this point on the 3Rs played all the important bowls winning the next three ends enabling them to be crowned Ladies Triples Champions 2008. [Now out of his shadow Ruth will impishly remind husband David of this tremendous feat should he dare to forget]. The Mid Tyrone triple of Martie Lynch, Joan Porter and Wendy had the initiative early on and played the better bowls. They would have been further ahead had it not been for a few saving bowls by Rachel McDonnell at second. As the game wore on Ruth started to impose herself and play a few head and game changing bowls while Rae was very steady at the beginning and even more so towards the end putting the opposition under pressure from the first bowl of each end. All three played well at different stages which is vital for a team. A patient well earned victory.

Mat2 – National Triples

The Spa triple of Graham Christie, Alan Laughlin and Graham Christie all had experience of winning a national title previously. This was to be Alan’s fifth final having won the previous four while Graham and Peter won the pairs but had tasted defeat in the triples. On the other side was the younger triple of Andrew Bonnar, Garfield Lithco and Richard Fleming, two of whom [Garfield & Richard] have had international recognition plus they had the bitter experience of losing a national fours final. Both sides settled into the game finding the pace of the mat as they shared four singles over the first four ends. Then on the fifth end the Ballymena trio picked up a welcome but hard earned count of four to put some daylight between the teams. A single reduced the deficit for the Spa trio but then the loss of a single, another four followed by a single on consecutive ends made life very difficult meaning that the Spa side would have to chase shots while the Ballymena boys were able to remain calm and produce accurate and close drawing bowls to ensure that they did not lose a count and the initiative. The Spa triple fought hard but on any occasion where a count looked likely Garfield or Richard responded by getting a very good bowl into the head. The boys from Ballymena restricted their opponents to singles on ends ten and eleven to win 12-5 with one end spare. The young lads showed their class in drawing and as a reward are the 2008 national triples champions.

Mat3 – National Fours

Neville Hagan, Malcolm Cunningham, Derek Spratt & Rodney Cunningham versus

Noel Marsden, Eddie Marsden, Alan Irwin & Paul Reid

The two rinks through to this final turned this title decider into a heavyweight contest as both fours have won numerous fours competitions. Both skips are previous national fours winners The Mayne men are the current champion of champions fours title holders. They dethroned P Reid who was on the previous champion of champions fours winning rink. Both rinks can adapt their tactics being equally adept at drawing or the more attacking approach. A great match up was anticipated but the gameplan was surprising to many yet it meant that the game was even more of a delight to watch. The attacking approach was expected but what was on offer was high class drawing bowls with the jack so often being covered with a front toucher. It was refreshing to see skips more interested in building heads than just powering into the head and taking the consequences. Whenever rinks produce such drawing perfection and such control with weighted shots it is amazing that they from time to time revert to the more risky power play. The Ballinderry four opened with a three and a two but were in trouble on the third end until Alan Irwin played a cracking shot on the backhand to change the head from four down to three up. Rodney went to the head with his last bowl five down and facing a potential game losing count. There was no open way to get shot or cut down so he would have to play a forcing shot. The execution had to be precise to get a split and run through hopefully to cut down. He did more than cut down, he brought his team into the game by claiming shot, perhaps fortunate but the margin for error was slim. Wide or tight he faced losing a count. On the scoreboard, would this be the kick start his rink needed? The Ballinderry four accepted the result and did not dwell on it as they replied to take a three and extend their lead. There was still time for the Men from Mayne to hit back and cause problems which they did lying four shots but Paul was on his game and was able to snuff out the trouble under pressure by playing controlled weight and killing the head. The mat was tricky and the harder the firing shot the more likely that the bowl would straighten and miss the target. It was a final so there were no hit and hope shots but instead there was an array of the more skilful controlled weight shot which is considerably harder to execute. The Ballinderry boys took advantage of the replay to win the end. The Mayne men continued to play quality bowls but they were matched and at times surpassed as the Ballinderry four claimed the title with an end remaining. The shot difference was harsh and not a true reflection of how often the heads changed, the win was nonetheless deserved. [Cunningham 4: Reid 12].

National Pairs

Len Graham & Dessie Hamilton versus Simon Colvin and Gary Kelly

An extra end in addition to the regulation fifteen was required to decide this final. Len Graham was making his first appearance in a national final and was very aware that Dessie, his skip, only required this title to claim the full collection having already won the rinks [4 times] the triples [twice] and the singles. The added pressure did not affect Len’s game at all as he played extremely well from start to finish with only a few lapses which is a testament to the high level of skill considering the number of ends played. Simon was leading for the young guns and he coped admirably as Len seemed to put him under constant pressure. Young Colvin is well experienced at bowls and was not put off by the challenge but raised his game and when he was unable to get close he was encouraged by his skip to build the head and at least give Gary opportunities to counter attack. The Dromore pairing led from the first end with C&K playing catch-up for most of the game. The two young men did not panic and battled away ready and capable of taking any openings that came their way to score and keep the more experienced pair within reach. Len and Dessie never wavered from their quest and while they could not build an insurmountable lead the Dromore pair were semi-controlling the game staying in front when their lead was threatened. On the fifth end the Ballybrakes duo were put on the back foot as they lost a three to trail 6-2. They stuck to their task and although only picking up singles they pulled to within one shot of their opponents but then the definitive drawer [Dessie] struck. Dessie draw a delightful bowl to trail the jack inches to lift three in a close head and open a four shot gap again. The next end [10th] proved to be decisive and gave C&K a second wind when it looked as if the Dromore pair were about to extend their lead. Len & Dessie lay two shots and Gary tried to kill the head with a controlled weighted shot, he was tight but because he had used controlled weight and not an all out firing shot the jack edged sideways about a foot for him to claim a fortunate shot. At the same time the shot was on but only because he used controlled weight, an all out drive would have seen the head killed. Nerves surprisingly seemed to set in over the final few ends for the Dromore duo as their opponents slowly closed the gap and by the finish of the regulation fifteen ends the young Ballymoney pair had managed to score on the last three ends with singles to tie the game and go to the decider. The Dromore pair won the toss but gave the jack away. There was then a management meeting between the two young men which resulted in a change of plan. Tactics were employed that had not been seen in any match nor was it to be seen in the remaining matches. The jack was put long and Simon went for it. It was reminiscent of last years singles final when this was a popular tactic especially in the final end but this time round it actually worked. Simon, again with controlled weight, ditched the jack and sat beside it in the ditch. Game over with only one bowl delivered in the deciding end. The young lads were ecstatic and ran and hugged each other such was their elation at winning. The most visible celebration of the day came out of pure joy which brings something new to the game. Dessie & Len will be bitterly disappointed that this game somehow eluded them and possibly the way the game ended. Despite their despair they showed their class of character accepting the outcome with great sportsmanship.

Ladies Pairs

The ladies pairs championship was just as close and as exciting as the national pairs with neither combination pulling away from the other. One shot was scored on each of the first five ends although Pauline and mum May led 4-1. They won the tenth end to again go in front after the other mother and daughter pairing of Georgie Blair and Elaine Hastings had fought back to be level at 6-6 after nine ends. The Cassells pairing kept edging ahead with the Ballywalter ladies levelling on a couple of occasions before the end. The Ballywalter ladies went behind by one going into the final end but they won the last end to be level for the third time in the last five ends and crucially take the game into a deciding end. The head changed hands almost every bowl with Pauline taking the shot with her first bowl but there was a gap, although narrow, for Elaine to draw into, she had to be exact in both line and weight, she was and almost drew the perfect bowl but it fell down to give Pauline a small but one slim last chance. She was unable to claim shot so the title went to the mother and daughter pairing from Ballywalter 11-10.

Over 55 pairs

In the over 55 the game stood at 5-4 in favour of Jim Gault and Edwin Irwin against E&W Eadie after six ends. The Loughanreagh pairing then won the next six ends to open an unassailable lead.

National Singles

The prestigious singles title, the most coveted of all the national titles was a mighty tussle between Raymond Stubbs and Alan Paul, two international players of the highest calibre. Raymond won the national pairs last season while Alan was beaten in the national fours last season and the national singles in 2006. Raymond took the early initiative and went in front 5-3 after six ends although each player had won three ends each. Then Alan hit back to win the next four ends to lead 8-5. Raymond then won the next two ends and lay shot with Alan to play the last bowl. He looked on track but the bowl held slightly rubbed off a bowl and onto the lying shot to give him two critical shots and a three shot lead instead of being all level. In the penultimate end Raymond drew an accurate bowl to rest on the jack and the umpire could not separate the bowls in a measure for second shot. This resulted in Raymond needing two shots for a tie instead of one, Alan kept it close and only lost a single to claim the prestigious Irish title by one shot.

R Stubbs	1	1	1	4	4	5	5	5	5	5	6	7	7	8	9
A Paul	-	1	2	2	3	3	4	6	7	8	8	8	8	10	10

Ladies Singles

What a finish for the ladies. Bridget Davidson took control with a four in the third end to lead 6-1 but Robin Gibson came back to level after nine ends. Only singles were scored in the next five ends such was the quality from both ladies and going into the final end Robin had got her nose in front by one. Two perfect drawing bowls stopped the singles trend and with both being delivered by Bridget she became the IIBA ladies singles champion 2008.

Junior Singles – U18

The juniors showed what quality there is to come within shortmat bowls. It was a battle between T Crawford and G Wilson and at the beginning of the eighth end they were locked together at four shots apiece. TC then went in front winning two consecutive ends and delivered an excellent bowl in the next end to take out the lying shot and lie three shots. Young GW kept his composure like an experienced pro and hit the lying bowl perfectly to spring the jack to the ditch were he had a waiting toucher. He then levelled the match again and then followed that up with a brace to lead by two with three ends to go. TC scored a single on the thirteenth end with GW responding with a single but he did miss an opportunity to draw a second and go into the final end three shots ahead. TC needed two shots to force an extra end, he lay shot but could not draw the crucial second with his last bowl so the title went to young GW.

A good day for bowls and possibly a history making day as the three singles winners all belong to Mid Ulster zone.