Haire brushes past opposition to win Clough singles tournament

The Hillsborough bowler returned home with the Clough Presbyterian singles trophy in his possession after emerging top of the eight finalists who had made it through the qualifying
rounds.

Haire’s biggest test on finals night actually came in his first game, the quarter-final, where he edged out BPFA bowler WJ McAlonan by a single shot.

From there, he cruised past Gerard McLarnon (Duneane) in the semi-final before turning on the style to outgun Tom Lithco (Michelin) by 13 shots to two in the final.

The finals night scores were:

Quarter-finals: Tom Lithco (Michelin) 9, Glen Booth (Tamlaght) 4; R Kane (Benvarden) 9, Joe Smyth (Donegore) 5; David Dunlop (Killymurris) 3, Gerard McLarnon (Duneane) 10; WJ McAlonan (BPFA) 5, Nick Haire (Hillsborough) 6.

Semi-finals: Lithco 9, Kane 6; McLarnon 2, Haire 8.

Final: Lithco 2, Haire 13.

Club officials also handed over a cheque for £500 to Macmillan Cancer Support at the end of another hugely successful tournament, which attracted a total of 177 entries.