Flying Donnelly takes the honours at Greenhills

THERE wasn’t a spare seat in the house last Thursday night as Greenhills staged the semis and final of their Charity Tournament, with superb bowling on view.

These matches were played under IIBA rules and first up in the semi-finals were Sean Donnelly and Alan Thornberry, and this one was still level after four ends. Growing in confidence, Sean went one up, only for Alan to spring out of the blocks and produce two brilliant back-hand draw shots to edge one in front with one end remaining.

However, there was to be one more twist, and with Sean varying his play he snatched victory at the death with his last bowl to clinch his place in the final.

In the second semi Claire Woods was pitted against Eugene Mc Kenna and it was Claire who came out of the blocks quicker to take a three-shot lead after three ends.

Eugene fought back but could never get back on level terms and with one end remaining he still trailed by three and had an uphill battle on his hands.

Claire had the head surrounded with bowls but Eugene wasn’t giving up lightly and with his last bowl knocked Claire’s bowls away from the jack to level the match.

Umpire Tom Devin made the toss for the extra end, with Eugene winning the toss and putting in Claire first. Both players went all guns blazing and played superb bowls, but with his last throw Eugene turned his own bowl over to the jack to take the win by one shot.

In the final, played over nine ends, Sean Donnelly got off to the perfect start and after five ends he had a comfortable lead of five shots.

Eugene was playing some great draw shots to the head but not getting the rub of the green, but he did manage to reduce the deficit by one after six ends.

He continued to attack in the next couple of ends, but he wasn’t at his best and it was clear that two big games on the one night took its toll on Eugene as Sean emerged victorious in what was an entertaining game played in a sporting manner and enjoyed by all the members.

Chairman Val McGuire thanked all the players who participated over the last eight weeks and also the umpires and the ladies for their refreshments throughout the tournament.

Members should note that the Redeemer Open will be starting shortly.

Congratulations go to Peter Woods on his 77th birthday - a great evening was had by family and friends.

Times of play for juveniles are Tuesdays 7 to 8pm and for seniors Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 10.30pm.