Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 11:23am

Classy bowling by David

by Editorial Department

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Jimmy Murphy presents Coa Bowls singles winner David Ferguson with his first prize and the Johnny Tummon Memorial Cup.

After the recent disappointment of being defeated in the St Michael's singles final, Devenish bowler David Ferguson put in a five star performance to collect this year's Coa Singles title.

Played over seven nights the annual Coa Singles tournament just gets more popular each year which was evident by an entry this year of almost 300 bowlers all travelling long distances to support the event. The charity for the proceeds of this year's tournament will be donated to Autism Association and as usual the bowlers supported the worthwhile appeal very generously over the seven nights

On finals night, 18 bowlers were to return from the qualifying evenings but unfortunately two were unable to attend, leaving 16 to 'battle it out' for the Coa title and the Johnny Tummon Perpetual Cup.

In the first round games, local bowler Jimmy Crozier from Kilskeery put in a brilliant performance and just missed out on a quarter-final place by a single shot against P Hogan, Donaghmore 7 shots to 6. David Ferguson, Devenish booked his quarter-final place when he defeated Clanabogan bowler J Teague by a 7 shots to 5 margin. In the all Tyrone encounter E Hamilton, Donaghmore defeated J Murraghan by 8 shots to 6 with an extra end needed. John Carson, Donaghmore had a relatively easy passage to the quarter-finals by defeating Barry Brannigan, Cookstown by 9 shots to 3. Pat McKenna, Roslea likewise had no problems when he romped home with a 9 shots to 4 win over S McSorley, Ardstraw without playing two of the ends. Local St Joseph's bowler Michael McGrade Junior was in fine bowling form in his emphatic 10 shots to 4 victory over B. McGorman, Lisnaskea. In the last of the first round games, Raymond Carroll, Derryvullan was in total control in his game against C McMahon Carrickmacross reaching the quarter finals relatively easily with a 11 shots to 4 victory.

In the first of the quarters, P McKenna advanced to the semi-finals when he easily defeated M.J.O'Connor Roslea by 9 shots to 4 while Raymond Carroll dominated in his game against E Hamilton to win by 8 shots to 2.In a very close affair Michael McGrade was defeated by a single shot in the extra end needed, by John Carson 9 shots to 8 and in the remaining quarter final David Ferguson chalked up a two in the extra end needed against P Hogan to book his semi-final place by 7 shots to 5.

In the first of the semi-finals, John Carson was in unbeatable form and was the superior bowler throughout against M McKenna winning by 12 shots to 2. In one of the most entertaining games of the entire tournament, David Ferguson qualified for his second singles final in as many weeks by virtue of a single shot victory over Raymond Carroll by 9 shots to 8.

The scene was set for what promised to be a spectacular final in front of a large number of spectators from two bowlers who had served up some superb bowls throughout the tournament.

John Carson from Donaghmore started off in confident form after he collected a single shot in the first end, but didn't realise that his opponent David Ferguson was going put on a performance of bowling at its very best in the following ends. John had no answer to the excellence served up by the Devenish bowler and failed to win another end. On the night there was no defeating the brilliant Ferguson and after having to burn two ends in the eighth and trailing 9 shots to 1, Carson had to admit defeat to the better bowler.

Brendan Donnelly, the assistant secretary of Coa Bowling club, then thanked all the bowlers especially those who had travelled considerable distances to support their tournament. Brendan had a special word of thanks to the ladies of the club and the non-bowlers for their help in preparing and serving the very much appreciated teas throughout the tournament, He also thanked the umpires who officiated each evening and to Tony Moohan who umpired on finals night and another special thanks to the hard working secretary Patricia Moohan for her very efficient work in running the tournament,

To bring the event to a conclusion, Jimmy Murphy the chairman of the club then presented all finalists with their prizes and the Johnny Tummon cup to the worthy winner David Ferguson from Devenish Bowling Club