Form continues in the league

Whilst the league was all but over, the locals moved top of the league, albeit temporarily until Ballymena defeated Old Bleach five days later. This was a fighting performance by the Gilford men as their East Belfast opponents belied their lowly league position.

The locals knew they were in for a tough battle as the home side had defeated league rivals Ballymena 6-1 a few weeks earlier and sure enough this is what they got.

Once again it was Andy Hughes who started with a bang as he roared into a 14-4 lead. Myles Greenfield’s four edged ahead early 8-6 while DJ Wilson’s four recovered from their customary slow start to lead 10-9. Only Stevie Adamson’s four were struggling as they fell behind 4-10.

At the 12 end mark there was just one shot separating the sides as Willowfield fought hard. However, the visitors scored 11 shots across the green in one end and from then on there was only one winner.

DJ’s four moved up the gears to cruise home by 12 shots, while Andy’s foursome led from start to finish for a facile 8 shot success. Myles endured a battle royale with his rival rink and finally edged home by two shots.

Most of the drama was on rink three however as Stevie Adamson’s four fought hard to level their score at 10-10 only to subsequently lose a four the next end. Trailing by four with four ends left, the Dunbarton rink scored 1,1,3 to lead by a shot going into the last end.

However due to a cruel twist of fate, the away team were denied a third successive maximum point haul.

With two bowls remaining, and the home rink lying shot, Dunbarton legend Stevie Adamson held his nerve to draw shot and lie game.

Unfortunately, as the home skip went to throw his last bowl, the Willowfield second shot fell down closer to the jack and as the home skip’s bowl sailed through the head, the game was decided on a measure – which Stevie’s rink lost! A cruel end.

Rink 1 M Higgins, E McElroy, T Bell, DJ Wilson up 26-14

Rink 2 S Trainor, J Magennis, M Merritt, M Greenfield up 15-13

Rink 3 D Copeland, G Moore, C McCartan, S Adamson 15-15

Rink 4 J Moffatt, P Convery, G McElroy, A Hughes up 21-13