Thumping win secures spot at the top as title victory draws closer

WILLOWFIELD A 55 (1pt)

Buoyed by their superb fightback four days earlier, Dunbarton chalked up a 49 shot victory at home to Willowfield on saturday to ram home their advantage at the top of the table.

The win, however, was tinged with disappointment as they were unable to gain maximum points and had to settle for six. Nonetheless, this was still a fine performance and when news filtered through of a Ballymena defeat away to Ulster Transport, the six points seemed that bit sweeter.

The locals started slowly but once they got into gear, there was only going to be one winner. DJ Wilson’s top rink romped to a huge 21 shot success. Not far behind came Myles Greenfield’s foursome who chalked up a thumping 18 shot victory. Conor McCartan and his ever consistent front three were also in terrific touch as they showed no mercy on their rivals, cruising home by 16 shots. Andy Hughes’ four, still shell-shocked from their defeat at Ballymena a few days earlier, started slowly and eventually lost by five shots. With four games remaining, the Gilford men top the league, 6.5 points ahead of Belmont and 15 ahead of Ballymena, who have a game in hand.

Rink 1 M Higgins, J Magennis, M Trainor, M Greenfield up 28-10

Skip Myles and his rink started brightly and always had too much for their rivals. During the second half, the home rink moved up the gears and counts of four on ends 11 and 14 finished this game as a contest. By the close Myles’ four had stormed home, winning by 18.

Rink 2 J Moffatt, C Mulholland, P Convery, DJ Wilson up 32-11

It was only over the second half that the dominance of DJ’s quartet was shown on the scoreboard. Successive scores of four on ends 11 and 12, followed by a six on end 15 and this game was well over. After the allotted ends, the Gilford four had run riot, winning by 21 shots. All four home bowlers simply outbowled their opposite number.

Rink 3 C Trainor, G Moore, G McElroy, C McCartan up 29-13

Similarly, Conor’s four only rammed home their advantage over the second half. After five ends they were level with their rivals at 4-4 but ends 11-14 guaranteed another home point as Conor’s four went into overdrive scoring 4,1,4,1 and led 19-6. Over the final ends, it was plain sailing as the hosts eased to an excellent 16 shot success.

Rink 4 R McElroy, T Bell, S Adamson, A Hughes down 15-21

Skip Andy and his rink will be kicking themselves at letting this point slip away. The East Belfast men led by six shots at the halfway mark, 6-12. From ends 11-15 Andy’s four gave themselves a great chance as they outscored their rivals 7-1 to tie the scores at 13-13. However, this was as good as it got as the Belfast bowlers won by six.