Page 4 - Winter 2012

England Ladies 1:Layout 1 04/01/2013 07:27 Page 1

4 ENGLAND LADIES SELECT TEAM IN IRELAND

From left to right George Crothers (Armagh Zone Chairman),
Councillor Jim Speers, Flo McNally (Armagh Zone Convener),
George Clarke ESMBA President and centre kneeling is
Sharon Haughey (Lord Mayor of Armagh City and District)

The England ladies select team played their return match with the hosts Armagh Zone Ladies
team in the Richhill recreation centre, Armagh. The opening ceremony was conducted by The
Armagh Lord Mayor Councillor Sharon Haughey and Councillor Jim Spears was also present
as the Armagh Council had been instrumental in assisting the event to go ahead. What then
unfolded was one of the most enjoyable weekends I have ever had in the 25 years I have been
going to Northern Ireland for short Mat events and we were royally entertained with great Irish
hospitality. The weekend will stay long in my memory and no apologies, what follows is a full
and lengthy report.
The opening session consisted of 3 pairs, 2 triples and 2 fours and was won by the Armagh
ladies by 84 shots to 70, with the Armagh ladies taking 5 of the opening four games. Best for
Armagh was the rink of Ann Crozier, Ann Patton, Jean Hawthorne & Flo McNally, who cruised
home 16 - 5. Also winning for Armagh well were Sheelagh Garvey, Sadie White, Sandra Whittle
& Pauline Beattie who led 12 - 0 at one stage and finished up 13 - 5 victors.
At one stage Armagh’s Michelle Wright & Catherine McMillen led 15 - 3 but a fightback by
Lesley Fennell & Jeanette Gayler closed the gap somewhat and the final score was 16 - 9 to
Armagh. At one stage Sylvia Kendall, Lorraine Axtell & Hazel Berry led 9 - 4 for England but 7
shots over the closing four ends gave Armagh’s Agnes Crozier, Lesley Strain & Elizabeth Smyth
an 11 - 9 victory.England best was a 15 - 11 pairs win by Kath Hoole & Kim Bridge, who were
9 - 10 down with four ends to play.