No slips for Dunbarton in their PG Cup opener

Conor McCartan and his rink cruised to a convincing victory against Ballywalter. INBL1521-261EB

On paper, the locals were expected to win his game with a bit to spare, albeit their North Down rivals did take the scalp of Ballymena in the Irish Senior Cup last season so Dunbarton knew they could not afford to be complacent.

As it turned out, the result of this game was never in doubt. DJ Wilson’s four recorded a thumping 17 shot success while Conor McCartan and his front three bounced back from the disappointment of the night before to register a fine 15 shot victory.

Myles Greenfield had to work hard to finish ahead by two shots, whilst Marty Trainor finished level with his rivals.

Gregory Moore bowls for the Gilford men. INBL1521-260EB

Next up for the locals in the Private Green Cup is a home quarter-final against another second division side Falls, and a safe passage into the semi-finals is anticipated.

Rink 1 M Higgins, R McElroy, M Merritt, M Trainor 21-21

Skip Marty and his rink got off to a fantastic start when they scored a massive count of seven shots on the first end.

However, credit must be given to the visiting rink as unperturbed they quickly reduced the deficit and incredibly by end 12 had opened up a 10-17 advantage. Back came the home four and by the close neither side could be separated.

Rink 2 D Copeland, T Bell, A Hughes, M Greenfield up 23-21

This Dunbarton rink started like a house on fire and scores of 4,1,3,1,2 were chalked up, resulting in an early 11-0 advantage.

By the midpoint, it was still plain sailing for Myles’ men at 16-6 but over the second half the men from the seaside bounced back.

By the close, they had managed to narrow the home lead to just two shots, albeit the game overall was well and truly over.

Rink 3 C Trainor, G Moore, G McElroy, C McCartan up 28-13

Conor and his rink showed tremendous character to bounce back from the nightmare of 24 hours earlier to record a fine win.

Over the first five ends, it was the visitors that started the brighter and opened up a 4-5 lead. From then on however, the Gilford men moved up through the gears and cruised home.A run of 1,5,2,3 from ends 11-14 saw the home lead increase to 15 shots, 23-8 and this remained the margin of victory by the finish of the allotted 21 ends.

Rink 4 J Moffatt, C Mulholland, P Convery, DJ Wilson up 29-12

Similarly to rink two, DJ’s men got off to a flyer and led by eleven shots after the first quarter, 12-1. From thereonin the locals were in cruise control and eased to an emphatic 17 shot victory.