North Coast rivals are Dun for as Gilford lads ease through to round two

Having knocked their opponents out on route to lifting the trophy in 2012, Dunbarton were expecting a tough tie.

The reality was very different. This was a very one sided contest as the Gilford team proved far too good for their Bushmills rivals and mauled them by a massive 56 shots.

Right from the off, the locals stamped their authority on this cup tie and all four home rinks cruised home with plenty to spare. The locals have been rewarded with an away trip to Carrick in the last 16 and will be hoping to progress through to the quarter-finals of Ireland’s Premier Cup competition.

Rink 1 J Moffatt, C Mulholland, P Convery, DJ Wilson up 31-14

DJs’ rink started well from the off and gave an exhibition on their favourite rink - rink one.

With lead Jack Moffatt continuing his excellent form, a platform was built and the visiting skip was under pressure from end one. On end three, with seven shots against, he produced a magnificent delivery to draw second shot to stop his rink from going 10-0 down.

However, with all four Dunbarton bowlers in top form they stormed ahead 17-4 at the mid-point and this game was well over as a contest.

Rink 2 M Higgins, J Magennis, M Merritt, M Trainor up 23-10

Two days earlier, Marty’s rink started with a massive count of seven on the first end and on Saturday they nearly repeated the dose scoring a six on the opening end.

However unlike Thursday, the locals kicked on and always had their rivals well at arm’s length. By the midpoint the home lead was 14-3 and by the finish this had been extended to a very facile 13 shots.

Rink 3 C Trainor, R McElroy, G McElroy, C McCartan up 30-13

Conor’s four started sluggishly and after the first quarter were behind 4-8.

On ends eight and nine however, the home rink took control, scoring successive counts of four and from then on they never looked back.

Rink 4 D Copeland, J Kelly, T Bell, A Hughes up 28-19

Skip Andy and his front three started well, securing a 9-3 advantage after the first quarter.

This was extended to 15-6 at the halfway mark. At 15 ends Andy’s men still held a nine shot lead and this was exactly the margin by the close.