Antrim’s Tennant and Kelly lead Irish final charge at Isles’ Champs

IRELAND will today go on a medal mission in the British Isles Bowls Championships at sunny Leamington Spa.

Although there was disappointment for Mark Wilson in the singles — he was beaten 21-12 by England ace Jamie Walker at the semi-final stage — the battling Irish will contest three finals, possibly four.

Jack Moffett eased his way into the Under-18 singles decider and will face Scotland’s Craig Mackintosh, while John Byrne will line out against Wales’ Ross Owen for the right to be crowned the Under-25 singles champ.

Ballymoney duo Aaron Tennant and Gary Kelly were unstoppable in the pairs, roaring past the challenge of Scotland’s Edward Murphy and Peter Jones before overpowering Dave King and Adrian Atkinson (Guernsey) in the afternoon sunshine, winning 32-6.

The in-form Irish boys will now face England’s Steve Hill and Martin Spencer in today’s final.

And it could get even better for Ireland as Colin Hogg’s Cookstown rink, Tommy Johnston, Willie Lennox and Eric Sands, will this morning face the Scottish combination skippered by Bill Anderson in the semi-final of the Senior Fours.

But there was disappointment for Whitehead’s Jack Montgomery, JR Wilson and Martin McHugh, who lost a tense triples semi-final (19-13) against Jersey’s Thomas Greechan.

It was a similar story for the Bangor rink of Robin Beattie, Jackie Erskine, Simon Denley and Keith Taylor, who were beaten 2416 by Ross Owens’ Welsh side in the semi-final of the fours.