Greenhills club singles games are hard-fought

THE singles charity tournament continued in the Greenhills club last Thursday and once again the games - over nine ends - were played in a very sporting manner.

First up was Anna Farrell against Peter Woods and Anna stormed into a five-shot lead after five before Peter eventually pulled two back in the sixth end.

That resilience from Peter continued as the gap was reduced to two shots with two ends remaining, but Anna held her nerve and in fact responded by going on the attack, ultimately taking victory in fine style by four shots.

Match two - Winnie Hanlon v Tom Devin - was of a very high standard as Devin opened up a four-shot lead after three ends, only to have it reduced to one as Winnie opted to fire into the head to compensate for obstructing bowls.

Winnie went on to take the lead in the next end - two up - but Tom responded with a glorious backhand draw shot to the head in the next end to storm back ahead by three shots.

Winnie missed a succession of opportunities in the seventh end as Devin extended his lead to four, but that advantage was cut to one with two ends remaining as Winne showed great character.

When it came to the crunch, though, Tom held his nerve and two superb backhand draw shots to the head proved decisive as he emerged with a four-shot victory.

The third match was a dingdong battle between Gertie Griffin and Bridie Maguire. Gertie got off to a blistering start and was four up after three ends, but after six ends they were level once more as Bridie responded.

Gertie came up with the goods at a crucial time, though, and with a solid cushion going into the last end she staved off Bridie’s best efforts to emerge with a threeshot win.

Eugene McKenna (pictured) was pitted against John Hurley and it was Eugene who made the better start, going four up after three ends. John belatedly got into his rhythm and after five ends they were deadlocked once more, and with two ends remaining they still couldn’t be separated.

True to form, Eugene relied on his vast experience to go two up again, and despite John’s excellent backhands and forehands into the head in the final end Eugene took the win by three shots.

Andy McGrane twice opened up three-shot lead against Val Higgins, only to be pegged back to level terms on each occasion and they were still deadlocked going into the final end of their match.

It was do or die at this stage, with both players under severe pressure, and there was a dramatic finish. With Andy holding four shots in the head, Val put weight on his last bowl with great success as he snatched a one-shot victory.

This last match featured husband and wife Val McGuire and d Bridie McGuire, with Bridie enjoying the better of the initial exchanges before being pegged back to all square after four ends.

Bridie picked up one shot from the next, but after seven ends it was Val who led by three and he still had an advantage of one going g into the final end.

Ultimately, a combination of shots to the head which blocked a pathway to the jack proved decisive as Val clinched victory by three shots.

Anyone wishing to travel to Magheracloone Open Pairs from this Wednesday to Friday is asked to put their name on the club noticeboard.

Times of play are Tuesday from 7 to 8.15pm for juveniles, Tuesday and Thursday from 8.15 to 10.30pm for the seniors.

Whist results LAST week’s results from the Philipstown Whist League were as follows:

Top Ann Powderly 152; 1st Lady: Breda Malone 144; 1st Gent Aidan Conlon 133; Ladies Sweep Maureen Carry 29; Gents Sweep Ann Powderly 33.