Junior duo impress in doubles matches

A GREAT turnout of members saw four matches played over seven ends under IIBA rules as the 10-week Greenhills BC Summer League Doubles got under way last Thursday night.

In the first match John Connelly and Gertie Griffin were pitted against Sean Donnelly and Josephine Moran, and after a scrappy start Sean and Josephine opened up a two-shot lead after three ends.

John and Gertie bounced back in the fourth end to take the lead one up, only for Sean and Josephine to square the match in the next end.

A ding-dong battle ensued in the remaining ends, but the experience of Sean and Josephine ultimately proved crucial as they attacked the head to complete a comfortable four-shot victory.

The second match featured Jack Howell and junior Tadg Reilly against Alice Leonard and Tom Devin, and the latter pair played superb bowls to the jack to go two up after two ends. Jack and Tadg battled hard, though, and hauled themselves back level with four ends completed.

Alice and Tom hit back to re-establish a two-shot lead after five ends, but Tadg and Jack hit a purple patch at a crucial period in the game, and going into the final end just one adrift they produced some lovely backhand and forehand shots to the head to emerge victors by three shots.

In the third match Claire Woods and Tony Lacken clashed with Val Haggins and junior Megan Devin and the latter pair went two up after two ends thanks to some lovely bowling. By the fourth end, though, Claire and Tony had wiped the slate clean and they went on to establish a two-shot lead themselves.

However, despite Claire and Tony’s best efforts it was oneway traffic in the last two ends as Megan and Val showed their creative skills to take the win in impressive style by four shots.

The last game of the night featured four experience stalwarts in Eugene Mc Kenna and Jimmy Flood who were up against Peter Woods and Marie Maher.

As in the two previous matches, this one was all square after four ends, but Peter and Marie bossed the next one with some super backhand draw shots to the jack, edging in front two up.

Eugene and Jimmy halved the deficit going into the last end, but then Peter and Marie went into overdrive and produced a gallant display to secure the win by three shots.

The top performers on the night were Tadg Reilly, Gertie Griffin, Jimmy Flood, Sean Donnelly and Megan Devin.

The draw will take place every Thursday at 8.30pm and any member unable to attend is asked to contact a committee member to ensure the smooth running of the competition.

Times of play: Juniors Thursday 7 - 8-15pm, Seniors 8 to 10.30pm for the summer months.