League points the perfect gift for Greenhills

GREENHILLS collected a welcome Christmas present in the shape of league points after defeating Maheracloone BC in their third-round match in Drogheda.

The format was singles and doubles played over 11 ends, trips and rinks over nine ends and in the singles match between Paddy Griffin and Thomas Martin, Paddy was delighted by his quick start, going three up after two ends. Thomas was looking very nervous and his opponent was on a roll, extending his lead to four up after four ends.

Thomas slashed the gap to one, however, before going two up following two further ends, but back came Paddy as he attacked the head in the next two ends to go three up with two ends to play.

Thomas had to produce something special, but despite his best efforts it was Paddy who took victory by a single shot.

The doubles match saw Jack Howell and Peter Woods take on Barney Marron and Greg Marron and a scrappy start ensued, with both teams not capitalising on their opportunities until the third end when Jack’s team went three up.

The visitors’ skip Greg reacted well in the next two ends, exerting heavy pressure to level the match, but Jack’s team regained their composure at a crucial point to go three up following the seventh end.

Barney’s team weathered the storm and showed great mental strength to cut the deficit to one over the next two ends, but it was Jack’s team who finished strongest to win the game by four shots.

In the trips match the hosts started the game stronger and pressed hard to take the lead in the second end, three up. Maheracloone skip Tom Lynch’s team weren’t getting the line and the weight of their bowls and Greenhills took advantage to extend their lead to four.

Maheracloone pulled two shots back and then levelled, only for Greenhills to show a bit of steel to re-establish a two-shot lead.

This was a supreme test of character for the visitors, but they narrowed the gap to one before the hosts’ skip Tom Devin responded well to the pressure to lead his team to a satisfying five-shot win.

In the rinks match Greenhills were impressive from the start, taking three ends on the trot to go three up. The hosts showed a lot of invention and creativity, playing superb bowls in the next two ends extending their score to five up.

Visitors’ skip Jim Hanratty rallied the troops and suddenly the gap was back down to two shots, but Greenhills skip Eugene Mc Kenna’s team upped their game and the bowls they played in this period of the game were sharp and precise. They varied their play greatly, causing endless problems, and the anticipated rally from the visitors never materialised as the hosts ran out victorious by five shots and took the overall 10 points from the four games.

The stand out performers on the day were Anna Farrell, Paddy Griffin, Jack Howell and Gertie Griffin. •CONGRATULATIONS to club member Megan Devin who celebrated her 15th birthday recently. A great day was had by family and friends. •GREENHILLS Bowls Club would like to wish the members and their families a very happy and peaceful New Year.

The club re-opens after the Christmas break on Tuesday January 10th - times of play for Juveniles 7 to 8pm, and Seniors 8 to 10.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday.