The ‘Gaby Gault Rinks’ tournament originated in 1994 when Mrs. Kitty Gault presented a cup to the Fermanagh league in memory of her late husband Gaby. Since then the turnament has developed into one of the most popular events in the local bowling calendar. The Fermanagh league sponsors the competition and the total proceeds are donated to the Fermanagh branch of the Heart, Chest and Stroke Association.

    In total 53 rinks competed this year and after the initial rounds, which commenced in February last were played, six rinks returned on Tuesday evening to play off for the Perpetual Memorial Cup and the excellent engraved Tyrone Crystal prizes.

    In the two quarter-final games the results were as follows (skip’s names only):- Ross Armstrong (Christchurch) 12 Niall Cox (Mullaghdun) 5

    Tommy McIlroy (St. Mary’s) 4 Ray Carroll (Derryvullan) 8

    In the first of the semi-finals between Ross Armstrong and Ray Carroll the game was a close affair and after seven ends had been played Armstrong just edged in front leading 8-7. The eighth end proved a disaster and the end of the tournament for Carroll’s rink when they dropped a five followed by another two in the last to give Armstrong’s rink a place in the final.

    The remaining semi-final between Paul Wilson’s rink from St. Michael’s and Basil Stubbs, Christchurch proved to be a more one sided game with the Enniskillen four dictating throughout the nine ends and booking their place in the final by 12 shots to 4.

    The scene was then set for what turned out to be a tremendous final which was enjoyed by the large attendance of spectators present. The St. Michael’s rink which included Thompson Wilson lead, Brendan Collins second and John Carney playing third to skip Paul Wilson took an early lead winning the first two ends, picking up two singles on the way. Ross Armstrong’s rink which had Harold Nelson in lead position, Trevor Stubbs at number two and father Charlie in the third spot came back into the game in the third end to draw level two shots each and in fact picked up a single shot in the fourth end to take the lead.

    The St. Michael’s four forged ahead with a superb three shots in the fifth end and looked the part for victory with all four playing extremely well. But it was not to be. The game from this stage turned in Ross Armstrong’s favour and after winning the remaining four ends theydeservedly came out on top by 8 shots to 5. An excellent performance by this 17-year-old and his father have had their most successful season yet.

    At the finish of play, Kitty Gault presented the prizes to the winning rink and also the beaten finalists. Afterwards Eric Hamilton, joint secretary of the Fermanagh League thanked Cleenish Community Bowling Club for the use of their outstanding facilities to stage the finals of this year’s ‘Gaby Gault Memorial’ rinks tournament.

    Results

    Semi-final B. Stubbs (Christchurch) 4 P. Wilson (St. Michael’s) 12

    R. Armstrong (Christchurch) 15 R. Carroll (Derryvullan) 7