Western Men’s Inter-zone team has made an excellent start to the New Year by producing an outstanding display of bowls on tricky mats in Ballylesson Church Hall, Belfast to secure a place in the semi final of the Boomer Cup by defeating South East Belfast on a score of 66-38. On mat one Gary McNabb’s rink was 3-3 after three ends played but during the next three ends, the opposition rink skipped by J R Graham took the lead 6–5 and over the course of the last four ends, the Western men picked up five shots to win their game 10–7.

Karol Bradshaw’s rink was playing on mat two against P Gillen’s rink and after three ends the game was level at two apiece. Over the last seven ends, the Belfast rink was only able to gain one shot with Western collecting eleven shots to run out easy winners 13–3.

Jude Morris and his rink had a no score in the first end and after the third end they were 2-1 down but over the next three ends, the Western side 9-2 lead and in the remaining four ends there was another no score end and the Belfast rink skipped by S Crawford could only collect a single with Jude’s rink securing another two single shots to win their game 11–3.

Now at the halfway stage, Western had built up a healthy 34-13 lead.

After the interval, Gary Burke’s Western rink completely dominated their game on mat one against a rink skipped by T Patterson, Gary’s rink was 6-1 up after four ends played and over the next four ends, they incerased their lead to 11-1 and by the end of there game they had won comfortably 14 – 2.

Over on mat two Davy Graham’s rink was four shots apiece after four ends and over the next four ends the rink skipped by D Burns was 11-4 up against Davy’s men but in the ninth end Western picked up five shots to leave them just two shots behind their opponents going into the last end.

Unfortunately, the rink dropped a two to lose their game 9–13.

Meanwhile on mat three, A Graham’s rink was playing P Canning’s rink with the scoreline at two shots apiece after three ends played. However, over the next three ends, Ally’s rink tokk the lead 8-4 and during the next two ends each rink secured a single shot.

Howeevr, with two ends remaining to be played, it was the Belfast side who took control of the game to run out narrow winners 9–10.

However, Western had done more than enough and had booked their place in the semi-final by a convincing 66-38 margin thereby securing a semi-final battle against South Tyrone at home on January 24.

Scores: G McNabb 10 JR Graham 7; K Bradshaw 13 P Gillen 3; J Morris 11 S Crawford 3; G Burke 14 T Patterson 2; D Graham 9 D Burns 13; A Graham 9 P Canning 10 Ladies hope to follow suit Western Ladies Inter-zone Team plays Monaghan Ladies Zone team on Saturday in the quarter final stages of the McIlroy Cup and they will hope to follow the winning ways of the men’s Inter-zone. A 35 seated bus will be leaving the Forum Car Park at 11.30am to travel to Ardaghey Community Hall, Monaghan. Any supporters wishing to travel with the team would they please get in contact with Jean Parkinson on 02867722132 or Mobile 07808673187 as seats will be limited on the bus.

The team representing Western is:- S MaVitty, R Cranston, R Donnelly, skip Caroline Scott L Lunny, G Dunlop, W Graydon, skip E Brogan C Brogan, Catherine Scott, N Hassard, skip J Parkinson H Ferguson, P Moohan, C McGovern, skip J Carson F Cartwright, Lisa MaVitty, T Armstrong, skip E Forster M Nelson, E Maguire, P Bradshaw, skip J Brown Juniors to sharpen skills A practice has been arranged for Thursday, January 22 at 8.00pm in Aghavea Church Hall, for the full Junior Inter-zone Team.