Page 19 - Spring 2016

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Despite playing the better bowls there was always 19
the possibility that one end could change the whole
picture and the 9th end was crucial when the Oriel
skip ran at the head to lie 4 but a magnificent bowl
from the mid Ulster skip saved the day and won the
shot helping Mid Ulster finish 11 - 7 up.
The first 4ends of the second half did not
change the overall picture to any great extent though
Oriel did increase their lead to 7. Dayne Jordan,
Liam McHugh, Damian Grimes and Glen Smith
found themselves 7 - 1 down after 4 ends but on the
other 2 mats, Colum McHugh, Malcolm Cunning-
ham, Jonnie Donnell and Willie Lennox were 4 - 1
up over Kevin Conroy and Alan Paul, Seam Quinn,
Gary Merron and Daniel Davidson were 4 - 3 up The presentation from
IIBA President
against Paddy Hanlon. Flo McNally to Seamus Kyne
From then on it was similar to 2012 with Mid Ul-
ster dominant in the last 6 ends. Jordan's rink gradually clawed their way back into the game
while McHugh's and Paul rinks were taking total control in their games. Conroy only won 2
ends in the game and a 5 on the 8th end for the Mid Ulster rinks sealed the game and they fin-
ished 13 - 3 up. Oriel by now realised that the title had slipped away and with Paul's rink piling
up the shots against Hanlon and going on to win 15 - 5 it was clear that the title was coming
back to Mid Ulster. Jordan's game finished after the 9th end with the deficit cut to 8 - 5.
It was a tremendous performance by Mid Ulster as they picked up the Boomer Cup for
the 11th time giving Glen Wilson, Malcolm Cunningham, Jonnie Donnell, Daniel Davidson,
Willie Lennox and Aaron Ward their first winners medals and 7 players their 10th medal.. In
1999 Mid Ulster went on a roll back winning the title for 5 successive years. There is no doubt
that there is enough ability in the zone to ensure that they will not have to wait another 4 years
for their next success.
JUNIOR

INTER-ZONE

The junior inter zone competition was
staged at Belfast Indoor Bowling
Club with 14 zones entering. Team
consisted of 12 players with games
played on a round robin basis.
North West, the holders and pre
competition favourites, lived up to
their favourite status with a very con-
vincing performance throughout the
competition sponsored by Geoff
Faulconer.
They came through the group
stages with ease to meet Oriel in the semi final. The other semi featured Northern and Mid Ty-
rone. North West had a comfortable 35 - 11 win over Oriel while Mid Tyrone beat Northern 23
- 21 on the last bowl. North West were never in any danger in the final winning 35 - 10.
Their success is a tribute to the work put in by Ryan O'Neill and his assistants. Credit
must also be paid to all the zones who took park and to those who give their time to develop
junior bowls. 2nd and 3rd place teams entered the Plate and Spoon Competitions. west Down
juniors won the Plate while Monaghan juniors won the Spoon Competition.