Hogg and Wilson back on winners’ podium after nine years

THE smiles said it all at Ards Bowls Club on Saturday — Cookstown’s Colin Hogg and Mark Wilson were back on the winners’ podium.

They may have had to wait nine years for the chance to get their hands on the IBA Pairs trophy again, so they had no intentions of letting the occasion pass them by.

Having accounted for Crumlin’s Eamon Carruth and Richard Leonard at the semi-final stage, Hogg and Wilson came up against Lisnagarvey’s Philip Cromie and Noel Graham in the decider.

The Provincial duo set about their task in a meaningful manner and, once the finish line came into sight, they put their foot on the gas to finish the job.

“We’re thrilled with the win,” said Hogg. “We know it would be a battle against Philip and Noel, who has won practically everything not only locally, but at British, World and Commonwealth level as well.

“The victory is not only great for Mark and I, but for our club and association.”

Meanwhile, Gary McCloy got his hands on the Irish singles title — 25 years after his maiden success.

The Portrush man defeated Crumlin’s Richard Leonard in a gripping encounter.

It was also a perfect climax for McCloy, who regained his place in the Ireland international side earlier in the term, helping them bridge a 10-year gap by lifting the British team title in Scotland.

“It’s been a long time since I last had my hands on this trophy and, if anything this is that little bit sweeter because I had to wait so long on it,” said McCloy. Results: Open singles: R Leonard (Crumlin) 21 C Gaw (Donaghadee) 18. S Bennett (Belmont) 10 G McCloy (Portrush) 21. Final: Leonard 19 McCloy 21

Youth singles: J Whitney (Crumlin) 10 J Kidd (Dunbarton) 21. A Jones (Portglenone) 14 D Donnan (Donaghadee) 21. Final: Kidd 21 Donnan 15.

Under-25 singles: R Kirkwood (Old Bleach) w/o S Wallace (Whitehead). R McMullan (Limavady) 11 C Gillen (CYM) 21. Final: Kirkwood 12 Gillen 21.

Pairs: P Trimble, B Trimble (Old Bleach) 12 P Cromie, N Graham (Lisnagarvey) 23. E Carruth, R Leonard (Crumlin) 17 C Hogg, M Wilson (Cookstown) 21. Final: Graham 17 Wilson 21.

Triples: B Smyth (Ballymoney) 7 S Millane (Crumlin) 19. M Nutt (Old Bleach) 17 B Browne (Whitehead) 14. Final Millane 18 Nutt 21.

Fours: I Wilson (CYM) 18 G McGleave (Divis) 19. S Martin (Belmont) 21 D Walker (Ballymoney) 11. Final: McGleave 15 Martin 19

Senior fours: P McEwan (Falls) 24 F McCarthy (CYM) 14. W McCaw (Ballymoney) 15 J Caldwell (Whitehead) 21. Final: McEwan 9 Caldwell 29.