North West win fortieth Boomer Cup

The mens inter-zone final proved to be a very attacking game, not one for the faint hearted or those with a nervous disposition. The players were ready and prepared with some pumped and excited like no other time in the lives. Almost each bowl from the outset was greeted with great enthusiasm by the spectators, particularly those from the North West who perhaps do not get out too often. The atmosphere at times was more akin to a football match adding to the pressure on the players but increasing the enjoyment for all. The spectators and antics of some of the players all combined to make the occasion one to remember.

The hall was a good size and more importantly had decent drawing mats giving the players the optimum opportunity to perform to their highest level. This is the type of venue that a final deserves. It was good to see a screen on show for the second time in a final to keep the spectators informed but the best innovation of the day was to give the players the attention and recognition they deserve by having each individual rink introduced to the crown as they were called to the relevant mat. The screen and introductions should now be taken on board by the IIBA executive end become the norm for such an event. Perhaps front sets reserved for half the team should also be considered, after all it is their occasion.

This is one of the premier events in the shortmat calendar and should be treated as such given its due credence by the IIBA executive who should be promoting their finals to a greater degree. The atmosphere in these finals cannot be matched even at the national finals. It would be good for the game to find a way of also giving the final of the shields more importance and press coverage. Perhaps they could be played before the main finals or on the Friday night before the finals. The spectators are interested and if publicised more then even more may turn out to make each final a special occasion.

First Half Teams

Mat1: L McIntyre, K McNeill, W Watson & N Logue v R Scott, H Hylands, C McCartan & D Hamilton.

Mat2: B Broom, M McCann, K Watson & R O’Neill v B Murphy, E Campbell, R Kidd & A Barr.

Mat3: A Daly, C Mearns, K McCullagh & J McKay v D Shanks, J McKenny, K Elliott & A Johnston.

Bring it ON

West Down started well winning the first end on all three mats to lead by four shots. The opening ends were an indication of the quality that was to come. There were numerous touchers across the rinks with the jack ending up in the ditch on mats 2&3. The second end was more prosperous for NW as their skip on mat1 took out an opposition bowl and trailed the jack a short distance to claim a count of four and give NW a lift across the mats. This was countered on mat2 when WD claimed a four despite a foot fault being called against them. To the player’s credit he accepted the decision and unlike so many other cases did not let it affect the remainder of his game as he put in a good display. NW opened their account on the second end on mat3 to level their score. They won the next two ends with the front end excelling to take a five shot advantage [7-2]. The pressure was mounting on the WD skip exemplified on the fourth end when with four shots against he drew for shot but then NW skip took the lying bowl out to lie five. WD skip could only respond by drawing third shot. It was evident that the WD skip was struggling to produce the self proclaimed ‘magic’ when under intense pressure. WD skip stopped the rot on the following end with a fluke, [which both he and his third acknowledged and apologised for] there were two shots against him and NW skip had put in a well positioned blocker but WD came off a wide bowl hit the jack full on, knocking the two shot bowls over while falling in for shot.

So often in the match if a player did not execute a shot correctly then it was highly unlikely that the same shot would be available with the next delivery of his team. NW opened their score on the third end of mat2. Their skip drew the jack into the ditch for a count of three after the first open opportunity had gone to WD third. This was the lift that this rink required, the touchers continued to rain down by both sides but NW levelled winning the next two ends [5-5 after 5e]. WD forged ahead on mat1 with a three and a four in consecutive ends in reply to losing the four on the second end. After a measure the fifth end was declared a tie leaving NW one shot ahead after five completed ends on the three mats. At this stage of the game NW had been much the more attacking team with the front end on mat3 producing whatever shot their skip required of them, seldom missing, while the front ends on mat2 were having a ding dong battle with numerous touchers. The quality and competitiveness was matched by the NW back ends proving decisive on both mats. There was a tremendous amount of attacking bowls, some accurate and so many other near misses. What was baffling at times was the risk the skips were prepared to take, with back touchers against they still wanted the jack forcibly taken into the ditch even though that required a precision shot. The adrenaline was flowing and scrambling some decisions as often the most viable option of a heavy draw was ignored. On the seventh end on mat2 the jack went from the jack line to the left side of the mat over to the right hand side of the mat then off. Entertaining to say the least, but it would be the players who kept their heads clear and the skip who could convey concise instructions that would finish the first half in the lead. WD were in control of mat1 and led by six shots going into the last end. At this stage they were keeping WD in the game as NW had taken the lead on the other two mats. MW skip took off WD second shot in the last end to lie two and reduce the deficit to only four shots. NW were on fire on rink2 but yet did not take the lead until they scored a three on the seventh end. They then followed that up with a four knocking the wind out of the WD skip. Although losing a two NW claimed a single on the final end to take a four shot win. NW continued to dominate on rink3 up to the final end. The pressure was telling on the WD skip as he asked his lead to attack the jack with his first bowl on the ninth end but he was reluctant and although forced into the shot just missed. WD did end up scoring a single and sanity at last prevailed as a short jack was chosen. This suited the WD rink and with a good four bowl plant by the WD skip taking out a NW bowl to lie a big count. The NW skip who had gelled well with his third for possibly the first time this season responded by running at the head and cutting the shots against down to one. WD then drew a second but finesse and precision finally won out as the NW skip claimed the shot and an 11-4 victory.

Mat1: NW 7 v 11 WD, Mat2: NW 13 v 9 WD, Mat3: NW 11 v 4 WD.

Interval: North West 31 West Down 24.

A worthy lead but not an insurmountable one.

Second Half Teams

Mat4: C Garnham, J Campbell, J Devine & L Harrison v C Ardis, P Convery, DJ Wilson & J Wilson.

Mat5: G Watson, K McGilliviray, J Kennedy & I Watson v D Scott, D Graham, G Chambers & R Martin.

Mat6: B Rankin, E Jamison, L Graham & T McIntyre v J Gray, W Clinghan, S Murphy & J Martin.

Where is the Trophy Going?

The second period started with no drop in quality evident. Indeed it was raised a level on mat1 as the NW skip drew with precision to claim three shots in the opening end and allay any fears of an early collapse by NW or fightback by WD. There was time for the momentum swing later but at this point in the match this count was important to ease tension. WD were equally determined to try and make a significant impact on the deficit in the early ends. The jack finished in the ditch on mats 2&3 with WD picking up a three and a two respectively. The spectators were left in doubt in the second end that both sides were going to continue the attacking play with some ends ‘killed’ and replayed as a result. Again touchers were vital and on quite a few occasions they came to the rescue. It was remarkable the number of times that a jack was ditched but with the very next bowl the opponent responded by putting a toucher into the ditch even closer than the previous bowl. NW lead did this very thing on the third end on mat3 then proceeded to kiss his badge in triumph. The enthusiasm adds to the excitement and can be contagious, even the normally reserved NW skip on mat2 was seen running after his bowl and jumping into the arms of his team mates after springing the jack back for a count of three. This gave NW the lead by two shots on mat2 after only three ends while mat1 was nip and tuck at 3-3 and NW had struck back on mat3 to trail 2-3.

At the completion of five ends both mat 1&3 were locked together at 4-4 while NW led 6-5 on mat2. Just when momentum could swing with West Down as they lay four on mat3 the NW skip cut it down to one shot although the WD skip did draw a second with his final bowl. A large count lost at this time would have been disastrous for NW who had to this point battled hard to keep their opponents in check and maintain a reasonable lead. By matching their opponents and keeping control of the game NW would force their opponents to open up and start to chase shots which in all likelihood would give NW opportunities to capitalise. WD were never out of the game but needed a count to lift them and put NW under pressure. On mat1 in the seventh end the WD skip ditched the jack to pick up a double but this was countered at the same end on mat3 when the NW skip changed the head from one down to two up. Again WD had been stopped in their tracks with time now running out. The eighth end on mat1 would make a comeback by WD even more unlikely as the NW rink picked up a four to lead 8-7. They stretched that lead by one following the end. On the final end NW lay four but WD skip hit the head perfectly taking the opposition bowls off the mat and lying two. NW skip drew right beside the jack and with his last bowl the WD skip took it out but could not keep his own bowl in the count, gaining two shots and levelling the rink match 9-9. WD battled hard in the hope that a count would come but time ran out as NW did what they had to do to keep WD at arms length and to see out the victory by five shots.

Mat4: NW 9 v 9 WD. Mat5: NW 10 v 11 WD. Mat6: NW 7 v 8 WD.

North West Champions 57 v 52 West Down.

Major elation for North West who have completed a season without shooting themselves in the foot. They have an enthusiastic team who are well suited to the attacking style that seems to be required in shortmat to win. No longer are they under achievers they have deservedly reached their goal of winning the Boomer Cup. The last year they won it was in 1998 despite high expectations this is only the third time they have lifted the trophy. If they had of played to their capabilities there are those who would suggest that this should have been their third consecutive year but perhaps now is the start of a winning run.

Disappointment in the final for the second consecutive year for West Down who have yet to win the trophy. There was only five shots in the game and literally only just came up short with one or two bowls being the difference. Ultimately NW missed fewer opportunities especially at crucial times. There was little between the teams but when WD had the initiative very early if they had of capitalised then it could have been a different result.

There were few players who under-performed on the day but there were more players on the NW side who raised their game and performed to their capabilities on the big occasion. J McKay’s four did little wrong and arguably were the rink of the day. The front end of Arnold Daly and Charlie Mearns were excellent out bowling their opponents and piling the pressure on the WD back end. Keith McCullagh nullified the effectiveness of the usually outstanding Keith Elliott while John McKay produced some very good shots when called upon especially the final end when he could so easily have protected his lead and not worried about conceding shots but with two against he drew the shot increasing the NW half time lead to seven instead of four. A Barr’s front end [Murphy & Campbell] battled well and had the edge early in the game but the NW front end were never far away and upped their game even more over the closing ends. R O’Neill’s four all played well and deserved their victory. Ryan got his team started and onto the scoreboard taking his opportunity in the third end when under pressure while young Kenny Watson excelled at third producing the bowls that was asked of him in a very high calibre and entertaining game. Few if any players under-performed on mat1 with the WD foursome rightly edging the win. In the second period , all games could have gone the other way with J Wilson and L Harrison having a battle royale, one trying to give his team the counts they needed the other snuffing out danger at critical times. The two WD Scotts played their usual reliable game at lead with B Rankin on top of his game for NW also at lead. The highly exciteable Lorenzo played his part and at one stage was even prepared to try his left hand to get NW as shot but sanity soon returned as did the quality when he reverted back to his normal delivery.

Most plaudits are gained by the back end bowlers who are under the most pressure but quite a few leads [both sides] had excellent games. Two front end combinations that caught the eye were Daly & Mearns and Broom & McCann. They laid the foundation for the back ends to play the glory shots.

When is too much reached?

There are new ways coming into the game of expressing joy and delight like kissing the badge on the shirt or standing in the middle of the mat with arms aloft milking the applause. Enthusiasm is great to see with high fives or a shake of the hand now normal but is this game for gentlemen degenerating into one-up-manship. What is next running and jumping into the crowd? Cheering a bad bowl is not acceptable but equally is it now getting to the point when celebrations are going beyond the point of sportsmanship?