Devenish bowler David edged out in thriller

Editorial Department • Published 25 Feb 2010 10:15 0 Comments

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Gerry Moane winner of the St. Michael's Single receiving his prize from Laura Lunney, captain St. Michael's and event organiser James McCaffrey.

What has to be one of the most outstanding finals of the season took place last week in the Enniskillen Community Centre where Gerald Moane from Clontibet Bowling club just edged victory over local Devenish bowler David Ferguson.

The annual St Michael's Dean Flanagan Memorial singles was this year held in St Joseph's College, Enniskillen for the qualifying rounds and the finals in the Community Centre Enniskillen. As usual, the competition attracted a very large entry from bowlers some of whom travelled hundreds of miles to support the event.

The new venue proved very successful and the tournament ran very smoothly under the supervision and expertise of Paul Wilson and James McCaffery from the St Michael's club. After the qualifying night's play, 15 bowlers returned, S Hassard failing to return, to play off for the St Michael's title which is one of the most sought after titles on the local bowling scene.

The results of the first round games were as follows:

L. Lunney bye; A Graham 8 R Nixon 3; E Curran 8 P Boyle 6; G Moane 8 W Coalter 7; D Ferguson 8 G Smyth 3; R Stubbs 10 A Sufferin 5; E Rooney 9 E Maguire 8; M Livingstone 6 J McVitty 7.

In the first of the quarter-finals, possibly one of the surprise packages of the tournament Laura Lunney from the host club, playing brilliant bowls easily defeated St Mary's bowler Eugene Rooney by 8 shots to 2. Elsewherem Wellington bowler Ally Graham just couldn't master the excellent bowling of E Curran and had to accept defeat by 8 shots to 3 while on mat number one, the eventual winner Gerry Moane coasted to the semi final stage with a very easy passage over Ronnie Stubbs by 11 shots to 1. In in the remaining quarter-final encounter, David Ferguson, Devenish chalked up a three in the last end to defeat John McVitty, Wellington by a single shot 8 shots to 7.

Gerry Moane was in unbeatable form in the semi-final game against Laura Lunney and cruised to the final while David Ferguson deservedly got his place in the final by virtue of a 8 shots to 4 victory over E Curran.

The large number of spectators were now set for a final between two bowlers who had excelled themselves in the various rounds prior, and they were certainly not disappointed.

This game demonstrated the art of drawing bowls and throughout the entire ends, not one forced bowl was use with both bowlers opting for the way in which bowling should be played. In the nip and tuck encounter, David Ferguson had taken a two shot lead at the end of the fourth end, leading 4 shots to 2.

In the following two ends, Gerry pulled back three shots to take over the lead by a single and then David squared the game in the seventh at five shots each. The Clontibret bowler chalked up two single shots in the following two ends but in the tenth and last end, back came David with a two and was slightly unfortunate not to have made it three to win.

So with the game all square at seven shots each at the end of the tenth, an extra end was required and the toss of the coin deciding who had choice for the length of jack. Showing the type of game this was, the jack was placed as normal and both players continued the excellent drawing bowls which had taken place throughout, completely different from some finals when the jack was attempted to be carried into the ditch with the first bowl.

Eventually it was Gerry Moane who finally collected the single shot which was sufficient to win the 2010 St Michael's Singles tournament in a final which will be remembered by all present.

In the absence of Paul Wilson from Home,Field & Stream, the main sponsor, James McCaffery thanked all the bowlers for supporting the tournament. James specially mentioned the bowlers who on request came earlier for their games which ensured the qualifying night's play finished at a respectable time. Compliments were paid to the ladies of the club for their brilliant dedication in serving up the teas each evening.

Laura Lunney, the captain of St Michael's, then brought the event to a close by presenting all the finalists with their prizes and Gerry Moane, on accepting the Dean Flanagan Memorial Cup, congratulated the organisers and the secretary Ethna Maguire for the efficient way the tournament was run.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Feb 10

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