Woods, Donnelly pairing dominate

THERE was a great attendance for the start of the Greenhills BC Summer League Doubles, played over seven ends last Thursday night.

There was some strong pairings drawn out of the hat, notably Sean Donnelly and Peter Woods who took on Anna Farrell and Tony Lacken in the first match. Sean and Peter started the game in impressive fashion, putting the first scores on the board to go three up after two ends, and it was a lead they would never relinquish.

Anna and Tony found some joy in the fourth end, trimming the gap down to one, but their progress was halted immediately and ultimately Sean and Peter prevailed by two shots.

In the second match Megan and Tom Devin were pitted against Sadie Campbell and Val Haggins, and this one was still level after three ends.

Megan and Tom edged two ahead, but the gap had been halved to one going into the final end.

That proved to be a real humdinger, with both teams playing glorious shots to the head, but it was Megan and Tom who scraped through by three shots.

In the third match Marie Maher and Eileen Fitzgerald clashed with Jackie Maher and Jimmy Flood - and it was Aileen and Marie who got off to the perfect start, going three up after three ends.

That advantage was wiped out in the fourth end, however, and Jimmy and Jackie won the fifth end for good measure to now lead by two.

Aileen and Marie weren’t about to throw in the towel, though, and they played superb bowls in the last two ends to snatch victory in fine style by four shots.

In the last match of the night Ciara Floyd and Jack Howell were against Claire Woods and Gertie Griffin, and the latter pairing failed to take early chances as Ciara and Jack eked out two-shot lead after the third end.

Sustained pressure from Claire and Gertie saw them turn it around to lead by two, but in the last two ends Ciara and Jack put their opponents under severe pressure and were rewarded with a three-shot victory.

Well done to Brenda Macken and Tom Devin on winning the B open final in the Redeemer club the week before last, and to juvenile Cain McKenna on being mascot for the Ireland v Austria match.

Members who wish to play in the Redeemer open are asked to please put your name forward on the noticeboard. The draw will take on Thursday at 8.30pm sharp, with the Juvenile Championship Final and presentation at 7.45pm. Times of play this Thursday are 7 to 8pm (juveniles) and 8 to 10.30pm (seniors).