Western’s Men booked their place in the second round of this year’s All Ireland Men’s Inter zone competition on Saturday with a comprehensive 87-26 victory over a weak South Down side.

Last year’s shield winners, Western started where they left off and with the half time deficit a significant 23 shots victory was always in sight.

Gary McNabb’s rink got the half off to a great start with a fine 15-1 victory, debutant William Stevenson, Jonny Breadon and David Dickson all putting in solid performances in which they dropped only a single shot in the eighth end. Alan Graham’s rink joined by Ernie Clarke, Alan Browne and Trevor Morrison chalked a crucial five in the sixth end resulting in a comfortable 13-5 victory. The final game of the half was a much tighter affair with Karol Bradshaw coming from behind to lift a decisive two in the last end to win the game 10-9 This left Western with a comfortable lead at half time and the momentum continued into the second half with David Graham’s rink of Derek Gilliland, Roly Nixon and Ross Armstrong running out to an 8-1 lead at the half way stage, the Western quartet dominated throughout and finished 12-5 victors.

On Mat 2, Gary Burke accompanied by Devenish trio David Ferguson, Gordon Ferguson and William Harpur added further to the commanding score running out 16-3 winners. The biggest win of the day was on mat 3 where Michael McGrade accompanied by Paul Noble, Ian McElroy and Niall Cox dropped a 3 in the first end, however they never looked back and finished impressive 21-3 winners.

A positive day for Western’s Men with pleasing performances all round. Western now entertain Northern Zone on November 23 and with a growing confidence met with a positive team spirit, Western’s men will be hopeful of another successful day.