Page 4 - Winter 2013

Page 4:Layout 1 09/02/2014 09:20 Page 1

THE BRITISH ISLES
4 THE BRITISH ISLES
CHAMPIONSHIPS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
COLERAINE “THE RETURN”
COLERAINE “THE RETURN”
It is some 26 years since my first visit to the Coleraine
Leisure Centre in 1987, during “The Troubles” when I was
a player and Captain of the England team, as we didn’t
have a manager then. My waistline was certainly thinner
and I had colour in my hair.
For the historians amongst you the first ever event
was held in 1986 and hosted by England in Blackpool,
the big shock of which was England’s Peter Smith defeat-
ing Tommy Johnston in the Singles and we also won the fours as well, it was a great weekend.
Sitting in the sports hall writing this, it is with great sadness that Ronnie McDermott is no
longer with us and it was a strange feeling that an event would take place without him. Also, owing
to the passage of time, no England player was present from the 1987 team other than myself and
my England playing days are sadly long since over.
The scene was thus set for another battle between the four home nations, with hopes and
expectations all mixed up together with a few nerves. The sea of faces revealed some old hands
and some new faces. For the Rule sticklers and Rule Fascists, this is not an event for you. At this
level the game is played to the spirit of the sport and some minor rules go by the board and the
players just get on with it as they should.
Also, it was good to see again the 1.5” centre block used by the Irish, this is much better
than England’s 3” centre block as it is moved easier and makes a very distinctive sound when
clipped by a bowl. Each event is played over two days, with the individual rounds alternating with
the team Championship but for clarity I have listed each event with all of the games involved under
its own individual heading.
LUKE HADDON SNATCHES THE SINGLES FOR WALES
LUKE HADDON SNATCHES THE SINGLES FOR WALES
The old adage of “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings”
was never as evident as in the singles, which
many regards as the Premier event
. The opening round of play opened with
Luke Haddon for Wales playing Lawrence Moffat
of Scotland, Lawrence having finished runner-up
on a number of occasions, there were a number
of people who wanted him to win, I of course was
strictly neutral and there are indeed fairies at the
bottom of my garden.
By the ninth end Lawrence had stormed
ahead and led 12 - 3. Luke then showed some
form scoring 8 shots over the next eight ends
whilst conceding just two singles, which left
Lawrence winning 14 - 11 but leaving Luke with a
respectable score, which in the end proved crucial to the outcome of the event.