Inter-Zone MEN.

Round Two- Report

West Down Wallop Mediocre Mid Ulster

The visitors travelled to Magherafelt expecting a return to something closer to the form they showed in a successful run to final in 2006/7. Not only did they show a significant improvement in form from their first round game, they also surpassed their best form in recent years to set a new level for themselves. It was an all round performance with not one of the West Down side having a bad game and the majority playing to their full capabilities. This was an impressive display by West Down who took all the opportunities that came their way and they thoroughly deserved their win however it has to be put into perspective, they were assisted by some of the opposition who have to of played their worst game ever for the zone.

It is the pantomime season and when comparing their first two games West Down are acting out the beauty and the beast, the problem is they do not know which is going to play. Against Mid Ulster it was the beauty that came to the fore with some top rate performances coming from Keith Elliott, Dessie Hamilton and Gary Chambers. What was to be in store for Mid Ulster was not evident early on as Tommy Johnston played the first bowl of the game and it was no surprise when it landed on the nose of the jack. Tommy’s form throughout the game was not rewarded as Dessie Hamilton was in dynamic form playing as well as he did at his absolute peak. He started the first end in fifth gear, there were two shots in favour of Mid Ulster but with his first bowl Dessie trailed the jack into the ditch to lie two shots and with his second bowl he added the third. It was disappointing for the Mid Ulster front end who did not deserve to drop three shots after their well played bowls. It was considerably better for the home side on the other mats as the B Kyne rink claimed a four in their first end after some poor bowls by West Down. It was evident that the WD front end were nervous and feeling the pressure as the lead lost his first bowl of the match in the ditch and they only managed to keep one of their first four bowls on the mat. Keith consolidated but MU took full advantage as the WD skip missed a relatively open draw twice to lose a count of four. MU also got off to a good start on rink1 as L McHugh picked up a double on the first end. Neither team were going to sit let things happen, they were going to take the initiative when they could and be aggressive. This was apparent with the third bowl on the second end when the MU lead attacked but missed the jack. The gauntlet had been laid down and was immediately taken up by the WD lead who ditched the jack unfortunately for him there was sufficient room for MU to promote their toucher closer to the jack and claim shot. They also claimed a single in the next end despite the best efforts of Adam Barr who twice fractionally missed claiming shot. WD had levelled the scores after three ends on mat2, in the second end they won two shots thanks to the ever reliable Keith Elliott at third with his skip again failing to capitalise fully missing another open draw. The front end of WD finally settled down and found their range from the third end on and they were responsible for the rink levelling the scores at 4-4. Dessie Hamilton’s rink were in a mighty battle with some excellent bowls being played by the front three of each rink but Dessie was proving the difference as his rink went 0-6 ahead after three ends. In the fourth end with two shots against Dessie again ditched the jack taking it from the middle of the jack line to lie two shots. Danny McStravock responded and drew closest to the ditchline for shot and to get his side on the scoreboard. After the same number of ends [four] on mat2 WD had taken a one shot lead {4-5} when finally their skip drew shot putting his hand out on a tricky tight backhand, this gave him a massive boost. Adam and Liam were almost exchanging shot by the bowl, on the fourth end Adam drew shot but it was taken back by Liam then Adam edged the bowl out to claim two shots. WD now had a lead of four shots recovering from three down after the opening end. At this stage both Keith Elliott and Conor McCartan had caught the eye as they were able to give their skips opportunities when the rink had looked in trouble. The visitors seemed to be taking control of the game as Dessie took out a MU bowl to claim a four {1-10} however Liam’s rink responded on mat1 matching the count to lead 8-2. Adam hit right back punching a MU bowl out of the head for four. Liam in the following end nudged the jack precisely for two shots to go 10-6 in front with three ends to go. Adam and his rink fought hard and claimed the following three ends but only with singles to go down by one shot 10-9. there was some excellent bowling on this rink with all eight playing their parts but in particular Liam and Adam who played the pressure bowls. This was a match up in which you knew that if you came out in front your rink had played exceedingly well such was the calibre of bowls played. Mark Wilson instigated a fightback by MU on rink3 as he drew the jack into the ditch in the sixth end resulting in three shots going to MU. In the head with shots against he ran at the head and slipped the jack sideways to a bunch of waiting MU bowls. The last bowl of the end was a major blow to MU as Dessie missed the stick by fractions, drew precisely across the head to the jack to take shot while five shots against. A fantastic bowl in the circumstances that many would have bottled but Dessie is too long in the tooth to let nerves get to him. MU got a single on the next end but the seventh end proved to be a body blow as they lost six shots over the last two ends to lose 6-17. The front three of WD only just edged out their counterparts but the real difference was Dessie who was in impeccable form. The wheels were coming off the MU wagon on mat2. After winning the first end they had now lost six ends on the trot to trail 4-9 but if they could get their game together then they could make inroads over the remaining three ends. The WD front three were determined not to let the MU comeback occur with the second ditching the jack in the eighth end assisting in three shots being counted out in their favour. They repeated the dose in the ninth end despite the MU third killing the head with two against, losing three when replayed. MU frustration was evident and in the final end the lead ditched the jack with his first bowl resulting in a count of three going against the WD rink even though Keith bowled another two good bowls. A 7-15 score that put West Down ahead at the interval by a staggering eighteen shots.

What a team needs facing such a deficit is a good beginning so as doubts would creep in to the minds of the leaders taking them out of their relaxed frame of mind. With only one end gone of the second half the game was effectively over as a contest. MU did not get off to than confidence building flying start as WD came out positive and aggressive from the off. They were not going to see how the game developed but were going all out for the win. On rink6 the WD third ditched the jack enabling his rink to pick up a two. On rink5 and on the second end of rink6 the West Down seconds killed the head while going for the kill trying for bowl or jack, both striking the jack but putting it off the side of the respective mat. The replayed end on rink5 result in John Martin the WD skip taking out the lying bowl for three shots. On rink4 WD claimed two shots to put them into an unassailable lead of twenty five shots after the first end. Hope then raised its head  for MU as Alan Paul took out a WD bowl to lie six but Johnny Wilson responded to draw second shot and place it in a difficult position to remove however Alan then produced a cracker to put the bowl off the side off the mat and remain in the head with his own to lift a sizematic seven. This was just about the only ray of hope for MU as J Wilson and his rink levelled the scores at 7-7 with four ends completed including a four after DJ Wilson had ditched the jack. The aggressive and attacking bowls continued throughout with each skip hoping for a count but also knowing that if it went wrong a major count could go against, despite the potential consequences the attacking bowls continued with numerous ends finishing with the jack in the ditch and at least eight ends killed. Alan Paul gave MU only their second rink win of the day with a 16-10 win with both rinks winning five ends each. This game was a competition of who played the killer bowl first but at least it was entertaining with so many ‘all or nothing’ bowls. The match on rink5 was more for the purist which resulted in a very close game and the lowest scoring aggregate of the day as WD only just sneaked a single in the final end to win by one shot {7-8}. This was a good competitive affair as Jim Dallas shone but John Martin took the most plaudits for a consistent display. It was another interesting scrap on rink6 as all the players contributed at some point of the game however the WD squad performed that little bit better with Gary Chambers having an outstanding drawing game. Amazingly he was only filling in at third due to unavailability but going by this performance it would be a disgrace if he did not hold onto the third berth. WD always lead in this game and each time MU hit back WD would pull away again but it looked as if momentum had swung in MU’s favour on the seventh end as they claimed a five to level the scores at 10-10 but inexplicitly they then lost a five in the following end eventually going down by four shots {11-15}.

As already stated this was an excellent all round team display by West Down which now makes them the favourites for the title, if and it is a big IF, they can repeat this form. The WD selectors will have headaches between now and the next round as they had two experienced personnel missing but the thirds who played all put in commanding performances with none deserving to be moved. The problem with WD is that they blow hot and cold from game to game. The big question is can they reproduce this level of performance? The doubts will remain until they prove otherwise.

It was clear that Mid Ulster were frustrated and disappointed by a number of performances as they were out of realistic contention at halftime. No-one goes out to play a bad game but the selectors have to stand up and take most of the responsibility due to their strange decisions, meddling with winning rinks has come back to haunt them. MU have the personnel to mount a serious challenge but as has already been alluded to in previous articles they need to have a complete revamp to get the chemistry right within the rinks.

L McHugh 10 v A Barr 9: B Kyne 7 v A Johnston 15: D McStravock 6 v D Hamilton 17

A Paul 16 v J Wilson 10: L Conway 7 v J Martin 8: C McHugh 11 v R Martin 15.

One disappointment of this game again raises etiquette questions. Inter-zone games have been promoted as the most enthusiastic and atmospheric of all bowling competitions however there has to be boundaries regarding sportsmanship and etiquette. When an individual shouts loudly “get the hell off a’ that” when a jack is heading off the side then those acceptable boundaries have been exceeded. No excuses about enthusiasm, it is simply wrong and should not be condoned. It is up to each zone convener and the IIBA executive to act on this type of behaviour.

Foyle 47 v South Down 57

Foyle failed in their bid to reproduce their level of performance of the first round. The unheralded South Down team yet again prove a stumbling block to a zone who think they are on the up. They are one of the more consistent teams around and are very difficult to beat but thoroughly enjoy bursting the bubble of up and coming zones. For at least the fourth year running the South Down men have reached the quarter final stage showing how tough a team they are losing out in the previous three years to the eventual runners-up. Will this be their year for a final appearance? There will be intense rivalry in the next round when they travel to close neighbours Armagh. The last time the two teams met South Down were at home and won by eleven shots. SD are a very competitive team who at times seem to do just enough to win. This was the case travelling away to Foyle who were on a high and full of expectation after their surprising first round win. SD had a seven shot advantage at half time but Foyle fought back in the early stages of the second period to go ahead by six shots. SD are an experienced team were unfazed by the comeback knowing they have the strength to raise their game over the final ends. As it turned out the concluding ends were quite comfortable as they regained their interval lead and extended it by the end of the game winning by ten shots. Foyle had an opportunity to move out of the minnows bracket but their shock win over Western remains a huge upset and possibly a one off. After their previous win the selectors could not help themselves and interfered with a winning team, would the outcome have been different if they had of made the minimal amount of changes possible? It is a mystery why selectors have to alter wining teams that have shown progress. Changes can easily cancel out any progress made, let the progress take its natural course then try and make improvements.

M Beattie 5 v R Carroll 10: T Patton 10 v C Davis 8: M Fahy10 v R Graham 10: P McSorley 4 v R Cromwell 13: E Curran 13 v L Murray 3: D McCarron 6 v L Carroll 13.

Armagh 57 v Mid Down 49

This was an invitation for progress thrown away by the visitors. Mid Down have improved this year and will be bitterly disappointed that they were able to win four of the rinks yet still come up short by a margin of eight shots. Armagh meanwhile will be chuffed that they restricted the opposition’s winning rinks to manageable proportions enabling their two rinks that were in dominant form to see them through in a battle of a contest to the next round when they will have revenge on their minds against South Down. Armagh are usually a more consistent unit and if they are to take the bragging rights in their next game then they will have to improve in certain quarters. When they all hit form Armagh are very capable and a very solid unit. Out of all the zones they would possibly be the second best team behind North Down if the competition was held on outdoor greens. Their adaptability will be seriously tested but as they get deeper into the season they should get better and be in the mix.

T Mulholland 3 v A Laughlin 9: A Roberts 12 v T Ward 3: A Hughes 11 v G Christie 12: D McDonald 9 v D McCann 11: C Mulholland 5 v P Christie 9: M Trainor 17 v P McNamara 5.

Mid Antrim 84 v East Belfast 30

It is sad for the game of bowls to see such one sided games but the IIBA seem uninterested in trying to come up with a solution. This problem has been going on for a number of years but ignoring the problem is not the answer. Difficult decisions lie ahead but they must be made. Perhaps the zones should be seeded with the top eight given a bye into the last sixteen and the remaining teams fighting for the other eight places. At least East Belfast have another chance to move forward in the more competitive environment of the shield. However their problem is lack of players coming through. Mid Antrim did a competent job and showed how good team they can be by the margin of the victory. It is easier to perform without any pressure with five of the rinks having very comfortable wins. The only rink that had to fight for the win was R Fleming who was pushed all the way by E Dowds but the men from the east lost out 8-5 in a low scoring encounter.

Monaghan 49 v South Tyrone 62

The home side put up a brave performance and can take positives from this game despite being on the losing side. They won two rinks against much more experienced bowlers while going down by the odd bowl in two other games. They like other teams have some talented individuals but with lack of strength in depth it takes the majority of the team to be on their game if they are to be seriously competitive. South Tyrone will be pleased to get over this potential banana skin. A game they were expected to win but with Monaghan being at home and showing improvement it was not going to be as easy as in years gone by. Monaghan can now continue their development in the shield with another home game and if they can improve again then they will be in with a chance of reaching the semi final.

G Mone 10 v E Hamilton 11: P McKenna 5 v H McIvor 12: S Winters 9 v J Wray 8: B Magennis 3 v D Robinson 10: M Trainor 12 v P McKiver 9: S Carlton 10 v E Kelly 12.

Cork Conquerors v North Belfast

More anguish for travelling team. This time round it is North Belfast who suffer with long haul travel lag. A home draw for Cork is a huge advantage which few teams have been able to overcome, the problem is that Cork have the same obstacle to overcome when they have to travel. Cork were favourites for this tie not because of the travelling but because last season they pushed North Belfast all the way only losing out by four shots in Glengormley therefore they would have expected to produce a better display at home and with the visitors slightly under strength a victory was a must for Cork’s continued development as a zone team. They did not disappoint and the enthusiastic support and appetite for competitive bowling is to be admired. A much tougher proposition faces them in the next round when they travel to play South Tyrone.