Page 24 - SMI Spring 2017 Revised

Page 24:Layout 1 26-Apr-17 10:08 AM Page 1

24

Mid Ulster snatch victory
Mid Ulster snatch victory
from the jaws of defeat!
from the jaws of defeat!
Mid Ulster had competed in the British Isles atop Team competition on 9 occasions winning all
9. At the end of day 1, it looked as if that unblemished record was about to go as they trailed
both Pembrokeshire and a Norfolk, a position they had never been in before. A combination of
withdrawals, injury and players affected by the cold plus the lengthy journey had taken its toll
as they struggled to field a full 24 in the team game and making combinations in the individual
series more difficult.
The opening game saw Pembrokeshire defeat Norfolk 109-61 and take 12 of the 16
points. Mid Ulster then played Norfolk winning 85-79 but sharing the points 8-8. In round 3,
Pembrokeshire were the opposition with Pembrokeshire on top 102-83 and taking 9 of the 16
points. In round 4, Pembrokeshire played Norfolk in the team game winning 61-46 scoring 9
points to 3. The final game on Saturday saw Mid Ulster play Norfolk in the team game and
again it was a below par performance with Norfolk winning 42-39 taking 9 of 12 points. Day 1
saw Pembrokeshire with 30 points, Norfolk 24 and Mid Ulster 18.
it was clear that it would take a phenomenal performance on the Sunday if the situation
was to be turned around. Mid Ulster played Pembrokeshire in the individual series targeting
12 of the 16 points. In the end they won 98-82 with 10 points which really could have been 14.
It was a totally different Mid Ulster team compared to the Saturday. This reduced Pem-
brokeshire's lead to 8 points but with Pembrokeshire defeating Norfolk 100-69 taking 13 of the
16 points the lead increased to 21 and it was odds on a Pembrokeshire title.
Mid Ulster took on Norfolk In their penultimate game knowing they needed to take all
games to have a realistic chance in the final game with Pembrokeshire. Across the mats, they
put in a tremendous performance to win 96-63 and more importantly taking all 16 points re-
ducing the points deficit to 5. Pembrokeshire were stunned at this clean sweep and knew that
if Mid Ulster took the overall score the title was theirs. They certainly did not expect Mid Ulster
to get off to the start they did building up a 25 shot lead after 4 ends.