You would have had to be there to see and believe the ebb and flow in this encounter between Western and Mid Ulster in which Western prevailed after a cracking encounter. The Western men showed true grit and determination in a very close and entertaining game with the scoreline changing constantly.

In the previous encounter between these two teams, Mid-Ulster came out on top. But from the start of this match Western had to dig deep and were 6 shots to 5 up after two ends played.

After five ends had been played, Mid-Ulster were now leading by 17 shots to 11 and by the eighth end Mid-Ulster had increased there lead by 24 shots to 14. In the ninth end A Graham and G McNabb rinks both picked up 1 shot each and M McGrade’s rink got 2 shots now leaving the score at 18 shots to Western and 24 shots to Mid Ulster.

In the final tenth end A Graham’s rink collected a well deserved three shots, M McGrade’s rink lost a three and G McNabb’s rink lost two shots now leaving the scoreline at half-time Western 21 Mid-Ulster 29.

At the start of the second half with two ends played, G Burke’s rink were level at one shot apiece, K Bradshaw’s rink was 3 shots down and D Graham’s rink were 6 shots up, leaving the overall score now at Western 28 to Mid Ulster’s 33. Slowly the Western men were creeping back into the game.

After the third end, G Burke and D Graham’s rinks both got 2 shots each and K Bradshaw’s rink pick up 4 shots.

Western were now in the lead for the first time of the game, Western 36 to Mid Ulster’s 33.

With the fourth end played, Mid Ulster raored back into the lead after gaining 5 shots and Western only getting 1 shot.

After five ends played, remarkbly, Western were now sitting on 41 shots with Mid Ulster on 39.

In the sixth end, the visitors lost 6 shots over all the three mats, and Mid-Ulster back in front by four shots as the lead continued to change hands.

By the eighth end, Mid-Ulster were sitting on 49 with Western on 45 and the visitors were slowly running out of ends as thetension mounted for all including the spectators.

On the ninth end, David Graham’s rink secured 3 shots, Karol Bradshaw’s rink lost 2 shots and Gary Burke’s rink lost 1 shot giving Mid-Ulster a four point lead, Mid Ulster 52 Western 48.

Indeed, Mid-Ulster spectators and players were pretty confident they were getting through into the semi final spot but Western were about to spoil there party.

With David Graham throwing his last bowl of his game, Western got 2 shots leaving Western trailing by 2 shots overall. Karol Bradshaw with one bowl to throw and shot against him threw a mighty bowl to turn the tables and get 2 shots, overall scoreline now all level.

The pressure was now all on Gary Burke’s shoulders, the last bowl of the game and shot lying against, Gary wasn’t to disappoint with the bowl leaving his hand and reaching the head, Gary secured two shots to win overall and the hall just erupted with the Western players and supporters celebrating their passage into the semi finals.

The semi-finals will be played on January 25, 2014 away to Oriel Zone. A Browne, N Noble, I McElroy, A Graham (skip) 11 – 7 S Quinn W Stevenson, J Breadon, D Dickson, G McNabb (skip) 5 – 12 D McElroy P Noble, I Armstrong, N Cox, M McGrade jnr (skip) 5 – 10 D Jordan D Ferguson, G Ferguson, W Harpur, G Burke (skip) 7 – 7 M Wilson H Gawley, R Kelly, T Morrison, K Bradshaw (skip) 9 – 11 C McHugh D Gilliland, R Nixon, R Armstrong, D Graham (skip) 17 – 5 A Paul WESTERN JUNIOR INTERZONE TEAM PRACTICE Friday, January 24, 2014 @ 8pm in Devenish Hall.

Any Spectators wishing to travel on the bus to the Men’s Interzone semi-final on January 25, 2014 (stopping for meal after the game) or the Junior Interzone Game on February 1, 2014, please let me know ASAP as seats on the buses are limited.

Contact Mrs Jean Parkinson on 02867722132 or 07808673187