Saturday March 11, 2023 proved to be a successful day for the Western Zone with not one but three titles being lifted at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast.

First up was the Western Men’s Zone team who played their neighbours Monaghan Men’s Zone team in the final of the Shield.

The six rinks all played at the one time which wasn’t easy for the overall score keeping.

In the match of Gary Burke’s rink against S Magennis rink, Gary was leading 6-2 at the halfway stage and then went on to win by a close margin of 10-9.

Karol Bradshaw’s rink played B Magennis and was 9-4 up at halfway to run out winners 15-5 while Michael McGrade’s rink were against G Moen’s rink with Michael leading 8-2 after five ends before going on to win his match 21-2.

Ian McElroy’s rink was 4-2 down after five ends against the rink skipped by M Hamilton who then went on to win 11-8 against the Western men and in the game between Ally Graham’s rink and L Hall’s rink Ally was just 5-3 up at the halfway stage to narrowly lose by 9-7 after ten ends.

Finally in the match between Stuart Cochrane’s rink and J West’s rink the Western men were trailing 7-2 after five ends and went on to lose 15-4 after ten ends.

Western Men won 65-41 against Monaghan Men and William Harpur the Chairman of the Western Zone Association lifted the Shield Trophy.

T Brian, W Harpur, N Cox, G Burke 10-9 S Magennis

C Gilmore, R Kelly, J Morris, K Bradshaw 15-5 B Magennis

R Nixon, N Nixon, T Morrison, M McGrade 21-2 G Moen

J Beatty, N Noble, M Granleese, I McElroy 8-11 M Hamilton

D Hunter, W Parkinson, J Morrow, A Graham 7-9 L Hall

G Weir, M Moore, G Brian, S Cochrane 4-15 J West

In the afternoon Paul and David Miller, proudly watched by their parents and grandparents, played in the final of the Junior Pairs for Western Zone and had an outstanding win against their opponents P Boyle and partner from Oriel Zone, winning 26-3.

In the final of the Over 55’s Pairs Ernie Clarke and Gary Burke were representing Western against M Jamison and J Moore from Finvoy Club.

This was a tight fought game with the score all even at 13 each after the final end played so a tied end came into play with shot lying against Gary and his final bowl of the game Gary kept his cool to lift the jack and win 15-13 to secure the Over 55’s Pairs title. Thus began the celebrating by the Western bowlers and their supporters. The trophies were presented by Mrs Flo McNally the President of the Irish Indoor Bowling Association to the winners.

Congratulations goes also to the Triple of Gordy, Ronnie and Raymond Stubbs who won 15-5 against J Richardson’s triple to secure the National Triples title.

Christchurch land league title

On Thursday March 9, 2023 in the Erne League Playoffs played in Aghavea Hall, Clogh beat Colaghty and Christchurch beat Rossorry in the semi final and in the Final Christchurch beat Clogh to lift the Erne League Trophy, presented by Mrs Frances Cartwright.

Zone Convener, Jean Parkinson would like to offer her congratulations to all the winners while and on a personal note she would like to thank each and every bowler for their expressions of sympathy to herself and her family on the sad loss of my beloved Dad, Tom Alexander. Jean was so humbly touched by the Guard of Honour on the day of his funeral by the bowlers.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

St Macartin’s Mixed Pairs: March 20 and 21 with Final March 22. Contact Maud Shaw 02866322133 or Mobile 07720081175

 

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