Zones share the spoils

THE annual challenge matches featuring the ladies and gents teams of Armagh and West Down zones was held at Richhill Recreation centre.

On an afternoon of high drama Armagh ladies retained the Ivan Marshall Memorial Cup, defeating their near neighbours by 10 shots in a game which ebbed to and fro before Armagh finished the stronger.

In the gents game Armagh won on all three first half mats,building up a seemingly invincible 17 shots lead. However inspired by the rink skipped by D.J.Wilson, West Down stormed back to level the score on the last end.

A nail biting extra end ensued with the Wilson rink snatching two shots and claiming the Michael Catney Memorial Cup for West Down.

It was probably right that each Zone should win one trophy, although the real winner on the day was the Southern Area Hospice who received a cheque for £2020, the amount raised by both zones. This was a magnificant effort by the bowlers, and Neville Pogues, fundraiser for the Hospice was generous in his praise of all those involved. The respective zone convenors,Flo McNally and Harold Masey were delighted with the effort put in by their players and wish to thank all those involved.

Thanks is also due to Armagh City and District Council for the use of their surperb premises.

These games not only give bowlers the opportunity to help those less fortunate than themselves,but provide an ideal opportunity to fine tune their game for the upcoming inter-zone series.

The popular 1st Dromore Presbyterian singles tournament attracted an excellent entry of 130 bowlers, with eight section winners providing an exciting finals night. The outright winner was Aidan Corrigan of Drumgor who defeated Andrew Morrision 1st Ahoghill Pres by ten shots to five.

At the semi final stage the winner beat Robert Scott (Garvaghy Pres 9-5) whilst Morrision defeated Liam Murray (St.Michael’s) Dundrum 12-4. Other section winners were David Morrision, Jim Rountree, John McMahon and Jal Richardson.

Umpire for the night was George Dawson whilst West Down zone convenor Harold Massey congratulated tournament convenors Tom Sudlow and Marie Ward on the success of the tournamount and thanked the club members for a marvellous supper.

A reminder to all West Down club secretaries, all bowlers must be registered with the match secretary no later than the second Saturday in October.

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