Doubles hopefuls increase the gap on rivals

THE top four players in the Greenhills Summer League Doubles have opened a sizeable gap at the tournament’s half-way stage and the rest are chasing precious points to stay in contention following the games played last Thursday night.

First up, John Hurley and Peter Woods took on juvenile Megan Devin and Jimmy Flood and they served up a very tight affair which was still level after four ends.

John and Peter dug deep to win the next end, only for Megan and Jimmy to show nerves of steel to win the sixth and take a two-shot lead into the final end.

Tensions were running high at this stage and John and Peter knew they had a mountain to climb, but they managed to hold their nerve to clinch victory by three shots.

The second match was a real battle between juvenile Ciara Floyd and chairman Val MacGuire and their opponents Claire Woods and Tom Devin. Ciara and Val stormed five up after three ends, but found their lead immediately pegged back to two shots as their opponents caused all sorts of problems in the fourth end.

Claire and Tom went on to go one up after the fifth to go one up, only to meet stiff resistance as Ciara and Val eked out a twoshot advantage with one end remaining. Eventually it was Claire and Tom who settled the issue in fine style, emerging winners by four shots.

In the third match - Val Higgins and Gertie Griffin v Alice Leonard and Josephine Moran - Val and Gertie led by two after three ends but found themselves trailing by one after five as Alice and Josephine found their rhythm.

The latter pair increased their lead to four with some lovely bowls, and despite some attacking play from Val and Gertie in the last end their earlier misses came back to haunt them as Alice and Josephine prevailed by five shots.

The final match of the night was Eugene Mc Kenna and Tony Lacken against Alan Thornberry and Marie Maher.

The mat proved difficult for both teams early on as several bowls went into the ditch or were dropped short, but first blood eventually went to Alan and Marie as they went three up after two ends. Eugene and Tony got their act together and trimmed the deficit down to one, but they didn’t take their opportunities in the next end and the gap was back to three with the final end to play.

Despite Tony and Eugene’s best efforts, it was Alan and Marie who ran out comfortable winners, playing some superb bowls, and go into the hat for the next round.

Meanwhile, John Hurley (Greenhills) and Tom Finnegan (Darver) won the A Open competition in the Redeemer last Tuesday night, while Anna Farrell and juvenile Caitlin Floyd were second in the B Open. Congratulations to juvenile Chloe Dykstra as she celebrates her ninth birthday.

Times of play for juveniles are Thursday 7 to 8pm, seniors 8 to 10 30pm.

All members should note that the draw will take place on Thursday at 8 30pm sharp and anyone unable to attend should contact any member of the committee to ensure the smooth running of the competition.

Members travelling to Redeemer tonight (Tuesday) should note that the pick-up points are Patrick street at 7 30pm and Monsterboice at 7.40.