Leaders ‘lord’ it against rivals

GREENHILLS showed nerves of steel as they picked up eight points from a home win over nearest rivals Lordship last week to forge further clear at the top of Division 2.

In the singles match played over 11 ends Claire Woods took on Sean Smyth of Lordship in what proved to be a tense match.

Claire took the first three ends on the spin to go four up, and after a rally from Sean she played some excellent draw shots to the head to open a six-shot lead after eight ends.

Sean found his rhythm in the next end, cutting the deficit to four, but despite his gallant efforts he never looked like bridging the gap and Claire finished the game in style and won by six shots.

In the doubles match, also over 11 ends, Jack Howell and Peter Woods were pitted against the Lordship ladies in Christine Holmes and Breige Duffy.

After five ends the hosts had a one-shot lead, but they then increased that advantage to three with seven ends competed.

However, Christine’s team weren’t going to lie down and after applying considerable pressure they managed square the match with three ends to play.

The wind was knocked out of Greenhills’ sails and they were on the ropes when Lordship eked out a one-shot lead, but the home pair managed to turn the game back in their favour and ended three-shot winners.

In the trips match played over nine ends it was Lordship who went three ahead after the first three ends, and despite Greenhills’ best efforts that was still the deficit after seven ends.

The hosts, led by skip Tom Devin, piled on the pressure, drawing some lovely shots to the head, but it was to no avail as Lordship managed to secure victory in a hard-fought battle by three shots.

In the rinks match over nine ends Greenhills got the line of the mat quicker and went three up after two ends. After four ends the gap was back to one, but Greenhills skip Eugene McKenna’s team hit back almost immediately and showed nerves of steel to take the next two ends in succession and stretch their advantage to four.

Visitors skip Rose Mc Eneaney’s team got back on track by taking the seventh end and the gap was back to one with two ends to play, but Greenhills’ greater resilience told in the latter stages and they duly secured the win in impressive fashion and the overall eight points on offer.

The standout performers for the winners were Peter Woods, Tony Lacken, Claire Woods and Eugene Mc Kenna.

Greenhills would like to extend their sympathy to the family and friends of the late Vincent Collier.

Times of play are as follows: Juveniles Tuesday 7 to 8pm, Seniors Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 10.30pm.