Bernie Donnelly and Eamon McPartland of Mullaghdun Bowling Club, representing Western Zone, secured the Over 55s National Pairs title at Richhill Recreation Centre with victory over the pairing of Tony Ward and Dessie Curran from St. Patrick’s GC, Downpatrick. The win was the first time that the title was won by the Western Zone.
The Mullaghdun pair found themselves 2–0 up after the first end but over the next three ends they were trailing 6–2 down after losing a single, a two and a three before picking up three shots in the fifth end to leave the scoreline at 6–5.
In the sixth end there was a no score and in the seventh end Eamon and Bernie dropped two shots but then picked up a single in the eighth end to leave the scoreline 8-6 in favour of the Downpatrick pair.
Eamon then lost a single in the ninth end to trail 6–9 before making a fantastic comeback in the following three ends with a single, a three and a two to lead 12–9 for the second time in the game.
But Tony and Dessie were not that easily to shake off as they came back to get a single in the 13th end and three shots in the 14th end to lead 13–12 going into the last end. After Dessie had thrown his last bowl in the 15th end the shot was in his favour which left Eamon needing to draw with his last bowl to secure a single to leave the game going into an extra end. The cool, calm Eamon just did that.
With a tied end having to decide who lifted the National title, Eamon won the toss and put the Downpatrick pair into play first with Tony just sailing pass the jack with his first bowl.
Bernie then drew to the jack with a toucher and Tony drew pass the jack with Bernie coming down with his second bowl just slightly moving the jack out into the open but was still lying the opposition skip.
Dessie drew down to fall just two inches behind the jack to hold the winning shot but Eamon unfortunately was slightly to heavy with his first delivery and then Dessie was to heavy with his second shot. With all to play for, and after much discussion with Bernie, the ever so cool Eamon drew his final bowl to the lying bowl to fall off on to the jack to get the shot to the joyous elation of the supporters from Western who travelled to Richhill to support the Mullaghdun pair. Eamon went down the mat one very happy bowler to join his very excited partner Bernie.
After the conclusion of all the Finals, the Over 55s Cup was presented by the President of the IIBA, Mrs Flo McNally to the winning pair, Bernie and Eamon.
In the other finals played that day the rink skipped by Paddy Hanlon of Cooley beat the rink skipped by Leigh Harrison of United Services 11–3, John Quinn skipped a triple from Ballylennon against a triple skipped by Declan McCann from St. Mary’s Aghadowey to win 9–8. Pauline Beattie from St. Mark’s Portadown won the ladies triples 15–3 against Angela Cannaway from All Saint’s, Kevin Conroy and his partner Sean Conroy from Redeemer beat Malachy Trainor junior and senior from Clontibret 17–12, Margaret McGrath and Sue Trainor from Washingbay beat Mildred Martin and Sheila Anderson from Maghera Presbyterian in the Ladies Pairs 16–9.
Kyle Gillanders and Mark Hamilton from Cootehill Presbyterian lost the Junior Pairs 13–14 after a tied end and a measure to Andrew Conley and Adam McKeown from Mossley.
Pauline Beattie won her second title of the day the Ladies Singles 18–3 against Marie Corey from Aghagallon, Shane Hand from Corduff won the Junior Title 18–8 against Dale Bodles from Larne Falcons and finally John Quinn secured his second title of the day the National Singles title 14–7 against Kevin Conroy.
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