Top four open up sizeable cushion

THE top four players in the Greenhills Bowls Club Summer League Doubles have opened a sizeable gap of 10 points at the half-way stage of the tournament and the rest are chasing precious points to stay in touch.

In the first match of the night last week junior player Tadg Reilly and Marie Maher took on Sean Donnelly and junior Megan Devin. The latter pair settled into the game quicker and despite the best efforts of Tadg and Marie their opponents responded in splendid fashion and took the last two ends without reply to run out comfortable winners.

Jimmy Flood and Gertie Griffin clashed with Jack Howell and Peter Woods in the second match and Gertie and Jimmy reached the half-way stage five down.

That gave Jack and Peter great belief, but Gertie and Jimmy showed incredible character to trim the deficit and eventually draw level with just the final end to play.

However, Jack and Peter were not lying down and they showed fantastic composure to split the head with Peter’s last bowl to clinch a three-shot victory.

Claire Woods and Jimmy Flood were up against Val Haggins and Maire Maher who found themselves trailing by five shots after four ends. Tempting as it might have been to throw in the towel, Val and Maire stayed positive and chipped away, reducing the deficit to two after five ends.

Ultimately, though, those efforts were in vain as Claire and Jimmy went on the attack in the last two ends, producing some of their best bowls and taking victory by four shots in an exciting finish.

In the last match of the night Jack Howell and Tom Devin were pitted against Gertie Griffin and Sean Donnelly and this was never going to be a high-scoring game between these two experienced teams.

It ebbed and flowed, swinging one way and then the other, with Sean and Gertie getting the breakthrough in the third end to go four up.

However, Jack and Tom, who weren’t playing badly, fought gamely and were just two down after five ends.

It was Sean and Gertie, though, who saved their best bowls until last as they eventually saw off their stubborn and rather unfortunate opponents by a couple of shots.

Standout performances on the night came from junior Tadg Reilly, Peter Woods, Jack Howell and Gertie Griffin.

The draw will take place for partners this Thursday night at 8.30 sharp. If unable to attend, please contact any committee member to allow for the smooth running of the competition. Times of play on Thursday are as follows: Juniors 7 to 8.15pm, Seniors 8.15 to 10.30pm.