BRAY BOWLS
The clock has sprung forward, the daffodils are in full bloom and the bowlers of Bray have put away the winter woolies and are busy out on the rink honing their skills in preparation for the start of the new season on Saturday, April 21.
We would like to welcome new members John Cheevers, Johnny Cheevers, Pat Crinnion, Walter Doyle and Sean O’Mealoid and to wish them every success in the season ahead.
Our Division 2 team are in friendly action next Saturday away to Greystones. Best of luck lads and be aware that the grass will be quite heavy at this time of the year.
Our highly successful club lotto has resumed again under the stewardship of Fran Neilson and Betty Keogh.
The first three winners were Niall Shelley, Breda Keogh and Florrie Carroll.
Finally we would like to wish Fran Neilson all the best in the year ahead in her role as President of the Irish Women’s Bowling Association. This is a huge honour for Fran who is a long standing member of Bray BC, There is no doubt that the IWBA is in very safe hands for 2018.
winners on the day.
On Sunday, our under-12Bs travelled to take on Arklow Utd and came home with all three points after an excellent 2-0 win.
Eoin Kennedy hit his second goal of the season with Mel Early nabbing his first of the campaign in a good all round team performance.
The 13B’ lost 1-0 at home to Carnew at Whitegates but the winning goal was a cracker for the Carnew lads and worthy of winning any game.
In truth, the lads didn’t perform to anywhere near the standards they have set for themselves with Aaron Nolan who made his debut in goal for Rovers earning the man of the match nomination for some outstanding saves for his team.
Our Last Man Standing competition moves on to round 7 after the weekend’s series of matches.
We are now left with 17 players left standing in the pursuit of the title of Last Man Standing champion and the €500 prize after 31 players made their exit from the competition.
Arsenal’s 3-2 home win over relegation threatened Southampton saw 16 players progress with North London neighbours Tottenham’s 2-1 away win over Stoke helping a lone player through to the next round.
Disappointment struck for 14 players as Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge by West Ham while seven players who selected Leicester went out as they went down 2-1 at home to Newcastle.
A further four players went out when their choice Brighton could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield.
Bournemouth’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace meant another three players went by the wayside.
Champions elect Manchester City seemed to be heading for the title when they led 2-0 against local rivals United but the Red Devils fought back to win 3-2, a result which meant the end in the competition for two of our players who went with City.
Swansea’s 1-1 draw with West Brom did neither side any favours in their bid to beat the drop even though the Baggies already looked doomed, it also didn’t work out for 1 of our players who selected the Swans as the result meant they exited the competition.
We had three big name casualties in round six with two times previous winner Greg Dunne, Anthony Earls who won our second competition back in 2015 and Jonathan Lewins winner of competition 2 in 2016 all making their exit from the competition.
As it stands we still have one previous champion (James Nolan) still battling away to claim the crown for a second time, but we’re sure the other 16 players will be doing everything in their power to prevent that happening as they will be hoping to add a new name to the
list of winners.
Anyone with information for the club notes or the club website can contact me at 087 9108706 or e-mail me at jimmy. nolan09@hotmail.com.
For all news regarding the club, check out the club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or the club Facebook page.
in Scotland and northern Ireland.
The highs of winning, the lows of losing and the sheer agony of a penalty shootout, kept everyone on their toes.
They didn’t bring home the cup this time but, the fun they had and the memories they made will certainly make up for that.