Dunbarton begin title defence in best possible way

The locals had to battle hard before cruising home with a bit to spare over the closing ends.

All four rinks eased to good wins with Myles Greenfield and Marty Trainor both ahead by 11 shots. Not far behind was DJ Wilson’s rink who won by nine shots, while two shots further back was Conor McCartan’s four. This was a fine effort considering the atrocious conditions.

Rink 1 D Copeland, T Bell, A Hughes, M Greenfield up 24-13

Myles and his front three started well and raced into an early 9-2 lead after six ends.

However for the next six ends they were unable to score as their rivals registered 10 shots without reply. Back then came the home four and scores of 1,1,1,3,2,2,4 wrapped this game up and an excellent eleven shot success.

Rink 2 C Trainor, G Moore, G McElroy, C McCartan up 25-18

Unlike their compatriots on rink one, Conor’s four started slowly and after the first quarter trailed 2-6.

However over the next four ends, they put their foot on the accelerator and scores of 4,3,4,2 enabled the homesters to storm ahead 15-6 after nine ends.

Over the second half of the game the locals always had their rivals at arm’s length, albeit it took a fine drawing shot from skip Conor on the penultimate end with three shots against to guarantee victory.

Rink 3 M Higgins, J Magennis, M Merritt, M Trainor up 25-14

Thanks to a superb count of six on the third end, Marty’s rink got off to a flyer and led 9-2 after the first quarter.

By the midpoint, the home rink were still control, ahead 13-5. Over the third quarter however, the visitors fought back and Marty’s men conceded scores of 1,1,1,1,4 and suddenly the scores were level and it was anyone’s game.

To their credit, the Gilford four bounced back and over the last four ends out together a scoring sequence of 1,3,4,3 to storm home by eleven shots, a fine effort.

Rink 4 J Kelly, C Mulholland, P Convery, DJ Wilson up 25-16

DJ’s men had a real battle on their hands as the in form Ards back end changed head after head and kept this game close throughout.

After five ends the North Down rink led by two 4-6 and by the halfway mark this deficit had been narrowed to one shot at 9-10. Two doubles and a treble between ends 13-15 saw the hosts move ahead 17-13 but with four to play, the home lead was reduced to 17-16.

Similarly to the other rinks, over the final four ends DJ’s four moved into fifth gear and chalked up scores of 2,3,2,1 for a hard earned nine shot success.