Juvenile matches down to the wire

THERE was a good attendance of Greenhills members to watch the juvenile trips league competition played over nine ends last Tuesday night under IIBA rules.

First up, Oliver Clutterbuck’s team took on Caitlin Floyd’s team, and with the latter not taking their opportunities in the first few ends it was Oliver‘s team who went three up.

Caitlin’s team clawed their way back into the game and after playing a selection of backhand and forehand shots to the head they eventually took the lead in the fifth end, two up.

Back came Oliver’s team to go two ahead, but going into the final end the scores were tied. Both teams went on the attack in the last end, but it was Oliver who produced two glorious backhand shots to the jack to emerge victorious by two shots.

Megan Devin’s team and then faced Sophie Thornberry’s team and after a nip-and-tuck start Sophie’s team eventually opened up a three-shot lead after six ends.

Megan’s team reduced the deficit to one, though and that gave them the springboard to go on and complete a threeshot victory.

The last match of the night was a ding-dong battle between Tadhg Reilly’s team against Caitlin Floyd’s team, and it was the latter who made a flying start to go three up after two ends. Tadhg remained calm, however, and by the fourth end he held a one-shot advantage.

Caitlin’s team stormed back into a lead of three, only to have that wiped out with two ends still remaining and it was Tadhg’s team who took a lead of two into the final end. However, Caitlin’s team rallied well and ultimately emerged victorious by three shots.

The stand out performers on the night were Tadhg Reilly, Jane Whelan, Oliver Clutterbuck, Caitlin Floyd and Robert McCormack.

Greenhills Bowls Club’s new chairman Val Maguire was in the hot seat last Thursday evening for his first meeting, at which he outlined his plans for the 2017/18 season.

He said he would like to focus on increasing the juvenile section of the club as it is the future and commented that the juveniles had made great progress this year.

He added that the senior section has a big challenge on their hands after being promoted to the first division and their campaign begins in early September. The club needed to add to the panel of players for the Oriel Zone League to be able to compete effectively in the top flight.

Times of play are Tuesdays (Juveniles 7 to 8pm, Seniors 8 to 10.30pm) and Thursdays (Seniors 8 to 10.30pm).