Northern Zone pop Cork visitors

ON Saturday afternoon Northern Zone Convener D.J.Connelly welcomed Mr M.Sisk and the members of the Cork Men’s Team, and spectators, to play the Northern Men in the IIBA Inter-Zone Shield Competition wishing all a good afternoon’s bowling.

In the first Northern Men settled quickly to the task in hand and half way through the first half led by 28 shots to 9 shots, the Cork men having got the feel of the mats came back a little but some telling bowls by skips S.White and I.Ross kept the pressure on and the half time score was 36 to19.

Half time score line:

Northern Cork

S.White 17 C.Middleton, Jnr. 8

I.Ross 12 M.Sisk 3

B.McAlary 7 P.Barry 8

Total 36 19

After the Ladies had served afternoon to everyone present and enjoyed by all the second half saw the Northern Men settling quickly and at mid way through the second half the scores were 21 to 8 shots up.

In the run in the Northern men all played well and finished up on all rinks, with a 46 to 15 score.

Second half score line:

A.Steele 13 C.Middleton, Snr. 7

N.Gamble 13 A.Tanner 4

C.Jones 20 P.McCarthy 4

Total 46 8

Full time score Northern 82 North West 34

Mr D.Hunter. I.I.B.A. Honorary Secretary, welcomed the Cork men who were able to come up today and not snowed in like last Saturday, he congratulated both teams on playing a very competitive game to watch, and wished the Northern Men good bowling in the semi-final and wished the Cork Team a very safe journey home.

The Mr M.Sisk on congratulating Northern on a very fine win paid tribute to both teams for playing the game in a very sporting manner, he expressed thanks to the Ladies for the very enjoyable afternoon tea, he wished the Northern Men all the best in the semi-final.

The Northern Zone Convener D.J.Connelly, in thanking Michael for his congratulations and good wishes, thanked both teams for a playing a very competitive game of bowls.

He said: “I thank very much John McKenna for arranging the use of Our Lady and St.Patrick’s Hall this afternoon and for having put down the mats for us, I thank too Davy Culbertson, James Elliott and Brian Shaw, for acting as Umpires this afternoon, and I thank the Ladies on all our behalves for serving afternoon tea.

“I send good wishes to your Zone Convener Miss Hazel Foley and a very safe journey home to you all.”

In the semi-final the Northern Men will play neighbours North Eastern Men at home on Saturday 23 January, at 2pm in Our Lady and St. Patrick’s Hall Ballymoney.

The team selected will be the same as played on Saturday past;

Rink 1 S.Sayers, Dunloy Pres., D.Reilly, Loughanreagh J.Martin, Marian and S.White, Boveedy

Rink 2 J.Elder, New Row Pres., W.Calvin Ballinrees, A.Irwin, Loughanreagh, and I.Ross Loughanreagh

Rink 3 A.Kelly, Ballinrees, J.J.O’Neill, Montra, E.Irwin, Loughanreagh, and A.Steele Loughanreagh,

Rink 4 A.Cassley, St.Olcan’s, T.Workman, Moneydig Pres., N.McCaw, 2nd Kilrea Pres, and B.McAlary, Marian

Rink 5 G.Steele, Loughanreagh, N.McMullan, Loughanreagh, D.McCann, St.Mary’s, and N.Gamble,

Boveedy

Rink 6 J.McKee, Loughanreagh, M.Shaw, Dunloy Pres., J.Calvin, Ballinrees, and C.Jones Finvoy Pres.

Reserves; G.Gaile, Castlerock NW and G.O’Kane, Marian

Players please note the match starts at 2pm, players to be in the Hall by 1.30pm and dress to be white shirts, grey trousers and proper bowling shoes to be worn.

Any player not available to play please contact Zone Convener D.J.Connelly at 028 276 64097 or J.McIlroy, at 028295 40640.