INDOOR BOWLS

Kildare West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA) Points Gained Is Not Enough To Take Balyna From Bottom Of

Table - Balyna’s performances to date were far from impressive in their Division 4 campaign, from the beginning of the league they struggled in most of their games both home and away. What makes it all the more surprising is given that they have a lot of quality players on their side.

Having the home advantage in the Cadamstown Community Hall they would be hoping to perform to their full potential in Round 9 on Thursday, January 4.

This time it is Kilcullen team that has to make the long journey to this venue.

The visitors have certainly been holding their own with the best of them in this league.

At present hovering around mid-table they would be confident of at least holding that position, whereas their opponents are sitting right at the bottom of the table, even though it is only the half-way stage of the competition they need to secure some points if they wish to avoid a relegation battle later in the season.

No Danger - Balyna were never in any real danger on Mat 1 of losing the game, after a very quick start they were in complete control from thereon.

Kilcullen played well holding the home team to low scores in each end, but their problem arose by only getting the odd score now and again and never got into a real challenging position at any time during the game. The finishing scoreline read Balyna 16, Kilcullen 7.

Balyna: Reecie Mangan, Bernie Flanagan, John Mangan and Johnny McCabe.

Kilcullen: Evelyn Millar, Sue Goulding, Christy Sweeney and Christy Hughes.

High Standard - The match on Mat 2 was a real classic affair, with both teams performing to a very high standard it was always going to be ‘touch and go’ at the finishing line.

In the early stages it was the visitors that were just about keeping their noses in front.

From the fifth end it was the turn of the home side as they edged ahead but only by a slim margin.

However, they maintained that advantage up until the tenth end.

Kilcullen responded to push their advantage to four on the next three ends to bring the scores to 14/10.

On the 13th end Balyna reduced that margin to the minimum and the game was back in the ‘melting pot’ once more.

But on the last two ends Kilcullen saw off the challenge once and for all and went on to win on a scoreline of 20/13.

Balyna: Kathleen O’Connor, Maureen Waters, Val Callinan and Frank Holden.

Kilcullen: Betty Lambe, Ann Sweeney, Vivienne Clifford and Gabrielle Sweeney.

Balyna take three points from this game and Kilcullen take two points but the positions of both teams in the league table remains the same.

To the fore for Balyna were Reecie Mangan, John Mangan, Kathleen O’Connor and Frank Holden. While best for Kilcul- len were: Christy Sweeney, Sue Goulding, Ann Sweeney and Vivienne Clifford.

Recent League results (home team first):

Division 1: Castlemitchell 4, Hollywood 1; Kildangan 5, Allen 0; Kildare 5, Kill CBC 0; Rathmore 1, Ardclough 4; Kill CBC 3, Kildangan 2.

Division 2: Coill Dubh 2, St. Laurences 3; Athy 5, Rathangan 0; Rathcoffey 5, Blessington 0.

Division 3: Ballymore Eustace 3, Ryston 2.

Division 4: Donard/Glen 3, Kill 2; Ardclough 4, Clane/Staplestown 1; Celbridge 2, Rathcoffey 3.

Division 5: Castlemitchell 5, Kildare 0; Abbey Bowls 5, Monasterevin 0.