Drumragh Triples Winners

Andrew Duncan, Matthew Crawford and Andrew Morrison won the Drumragh triples beating Linda Carleton, George Berry and Stanley Carleton in the final.

Semi finals
A Morrison beat P Beattie in a tie end (7-6)
S Carlton beat M Wilson who was the defending champion, in another close game 7-5

Quarter finals
P Beattie beat R Hosseini
A Morrison beat C Shortt

S Carlton beat J Marshall

M Wilson beat J Morris

Prelims
C Shortt beat N Rutledge
M Wilson beat R Graham

The organiser who is also the IIBA Chairman thanks all who took part

The chairman set an example for other organisers and kept to a limit of 20 triples per evening. Some unfortunately had to be refused entry due to the quota being reached. 

It is good to hear that more and more tournaments are limiting the numbers each evening even on the nights when they are over-subscribed. The organisers are doing their part to improve tournaments players also have their part to play by entering early.

Final

Mid Ulster v Oriel (main comp)

Mid Antrim v Northern (bowl - best of the worst losers)

What are the best halls to play the finals in?

What a FINISH

Oriel O's come from 8 shots down in the second half to beat Lisburn in the last end
Oriel win last three ends of the game to snatch victory and pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Lisburn pulled a tactical master-stroke by putting Gordon Stubbs' rink on in the first half and it almost worked to the maximum but the finish by Oriel in the high pressured final ends secured victory.

They play Mid Ulster who had a first half fright against North down but despite a rink down in the second period eased to a comfortable win

Shield
Mid Antrim do the business against Meath who put up a spirited second half show. Good experience for Meath who have a very small squad to select from. Mid Antrim treated the Meath men with utmost respect, taking nothing for granted and secured a victory
Northern win through with five rink wins at home to Monaghan reversing the result from 2008

Both finals should be excellent games with little between the teams
Hard to pick a favourite for either competition

This competition is an amazing team game. McMahon and Conroy's rinks beaten yet both skips deliver the vital bowls in the last ends of their respective matches. Villains to heroes in moments.
Lisburn will be disappointed but it takes too excellent teams to have a great game like the Oriel v Lisburn encounter. Spare a thought for the Reid rink best Lisburn rink on the day yet suffer as Kevin draws a precision bowl in final end leaving no shot.
Duff anf McCabe rinks take the plaudits for Oriel.

Etiquette
It does not matter how close the game is or how important the game is
foul language on the mat is totally UNACCEPTABLE. No exceptions.
Time for IIBA to take action

Rink scores on bowlsni
thanks to all for the info

Scintillating Semis?

In the semi for the top half of the main draw gargantuan favourites Mid Ulsterians take on the colossal under-dogs of North Downers, there will be no doodling about in this game
while inconsistent Oriel take on up and coming individuals from Lisburn. The Lisburners are a significantly more experienced squad, but not at this level of this competition while the Oriel Os usually have too many O's in the whooooooooooops that they serve up in this competition.

The shield throws up another Goliath and David encounter with Mid Antrim monumental favourites at home to meek Meath.
In a mirror image of the main competition the second semi of the shield should produce a closer game with Northern at home to Monaghan. Both are experts in this competition. Northern were defending champions of the main trophy so will be out to make up for their narrow loss and elimination from that competition. Winning the shield will prove a point to all the knockers and doubters that come with winning a major competition. Monaghan like this competition having taken part for a minimum of 8 successive seasons. They won this competition in 2008 and in the semi final defeated Northern away from home.
Will revenge prevail or will Northern show that their champion credentials.

Mid Ulsterians will be spurred on by their bitterly poor showing in the main competition last year when they went down without a whimper to Donegal. A few minor alterations including the shock recall to third for a veteran golfer has give the team a renewed vigour and determination and shows that some decisions defy rhyme and reason when it comes to formula for success.
North Down at last have produced the performances on the mats that their talent deserves. Under-achievement and not talent is the reason they are outsiders. The Mid Ulsterians beat North Down in last season's competition but  this will be a different challenge for the homesters and if they have any allusions of grandeur the North Downers are capable of knocking them off their pedestal.

Mid Antrim have made alterations to their team since their inept performance earlier in the season against Donegal. Those brought in will be out to prove a point that the changes should have been made last season. It is good to see one of the unsung zone players getting recognition at last. Wesley Caldwell has moved effortlessly from third to skip having been a mainstay of the Lithco rink for so long.
It is good for a zone like Meath to reach a semi final. This competition should be used for zones similar to Meath in that they can compete and win games. For years now the small fish have been neglected by the IIBA with little or no progress for the small zones who at times could be well beaten in the first round of the main competition and then be drawn against another big zone in the shield. How does this help the small zones?
Meath deserve a chance to play in such a big game and it should give them encouragement.

Oriel will be surprised that they have two games rolled into one. In the first half they take on Hillsbourgh plus others and in the second half they entertain Ballinderry all comers. This has to be a strong Lisburn set-up with 2011 Champion of champions triples skip Eddie Marsden at second.
He could come face to face with 2011 CoC singles winner Jim Fox who brings stability and calm to the engine room of the rink.
Lisburn or as some say Ballinborough or Derryhills have 5 sets of brothers in their team and 1 father-son. The brothers include the RGR triplets uniquely of different ages (not sure which is oldest) and the Hairey N'n'Ns

All Teams/squads published on bowlsni site.

thanks to all for providing the information

Omagh County PTA Pairs Tournament

Omagh County PTA Pairs Tournament will be held in Omagh County Primary School, Campsie Road, Omagh across four mats

Qualifying dates: Mon 6th, Tue 7th, Wed 8th, Thu 9th, Fri 10th February

Finals: Sat 11th February

Entry: £5

To enter and for further details contact: RODNEY CUNNINGHAM, 80 Reaghan Road, OMAGH, Co. Tyrone, BT79 7TQ (Tel: 077 8327 1637)

BBC Pairs

Ballymena Bowling Club (6 Old Ballymoney Road, Ballymena, BT43 6LX)

Annual Open Pairs Tournament

Nights of Play – Monday 6^th February 2012 to Thursday 9^th February 2012 inclusive.

Finals Night – Friday 10^th February 2012.

Maximum 24 Pairs per night.

All games played under IIBA rules.

Entry Fee £5 per Pair

Play will commence at 7.15pm sharp on each night.

For Entries please contact Michael Wilson (028 25655578 / 07753 386877)

Upcoming tournaments

NEW - County Antrim open pairs from 22nd to 25th February in CAIBC

NEW - Open triples run by Donaghadee Community, 27th, 29th Feb, 2nd, 3rd March

3 vacancies

There are three remaining spots for the the inaugural Marcus Craig Memorial Trophy to be held at Jim Baker stadium (see previous main post for fuller details)

Anyone wishing to enter contact the stadium asap to avoid disappointment

Dunloy Charity Singles

Dunloy Pres Church Indoor Bowling Club

Charity Singles Competition (All proceeds to British Heart Foundation - Northern Ireland Branch)
Remaining nights: Thur 19th, Fri 20th January
Finals Night 21st January

 

Thanks to all who have entered our tournament. All 6 nights have been full so far, only 6 places left for each of the last 2 nights.
Andrew Sayers 07736127447

 

Qualifiers to date

Andrew Morrison (Ahoghill)
Nigel Gamble (Loughanreagh)
Robert Allen (Limavady)
William Calvin (Balinrees)
Andrew Duncan (2nd Donegore)
Ian Dunlop (Killymurris Glarryford)
Ivan Craig (Michelin)
Martin Craig (Broughshane P.F.A.)
James Gaston (1st Broughshane)
Glen Wilson (Maghera)
Arnold Daly (Limavady)
Brian Russell (Cunningham Memorial)

Coleraine BC - Book

Jordan Dallas is currently researching information to write a book about the history of Coleraine Outdoor bowling club from it's beginnings in 1903 to the present day.
If anyone has any information or photos it would be greatly appreciated. They can contact Jordan at jordan_dallas@hotmail.com

Carrickmacross singles

Carrickmacross Singles: qualifying running from 22nd January to 28th and also 30th
Finals night: 31st January 2012

If interested contact Diarmuid McMahon on 00353870654191

Drumragh Triples tournie

Drumragh bowling club are holding a triples tournament in St Columba's hall commencing Monday 23rd January.
Qualifying Nights of play: Monday 23rd Jan, Tues 24th, Wed 25th, Thurs 26th and Friday 27th
Final night: Monday 30th January 2012

Entry fee £9
To enter contact David Sterritt 02881661482 or 07909595996
The chairman of the IIBA will give all a warm welcome

Other tournaments:
St Matthew's, Richhill Pairs Mon 30th Jan - Sat 4th Feb
Ballymena BC pairs Monday 6th February - Friday 10th Feb (fuller details to follow)

Please remember early entry aids good organisation

Pairs Tournament - Richhill

St Matthew's Bowling club, Richhill is holding it's annual open pairs tournament commencing Monday 30th January
Dates of play:
Monday 30th January to Friday 3rd February 2012
Finals night: Saturday 4th February
Entry fee: £5

To enter contact Flo McNally, 02838393669 or 07834423482, 07715109153

Remember early entries aid good organisation
Upcoming tournament:
Ballymena bowling club Pairs runs week starting Monday 6th February

MIZ quarters

Mid Ulsterians play giant killers North Down 
Oriel at home to Lisburn
Rink scores of quarter finals on bowlsni site.
thanks to all who forwarded the info

Shield semis, Mid Antrim v Meath; Northern v Monaghan 
North Down put out Mid Tyrone winning by 8 shots
Mid Ulsterians lead Donegal at half time by 16 with Damien McElroy's rink leading the way with the new revitalised yet veteran third. Mid Ulster win by 25
North Downers continuing their excellent form this time at home as they lead Mid Tyrone by 11 shots at the interval. North down extend lead to 16 shots at halfway stage of second half. ND 14 ahead with only 6 individual ends left.
Oriel win. Oriel 26 shots ahead of North West at the break. Semi final spot should be in the bag with Oriel Os 19 up with 6 individual ends to play. Paddy Hanlon's rink take centre stage with an 18 shot rink win.
Lisburn beat North Eastern by 7 in six very tight games with Ray Stubbs rink having the biggest win by 6
Northern ahead at Mid Down by 11 at interval. Northern win. Jonny Calvin rink of J Elder, G McCloy and C Jones claim an eight
Mid Antrim 13 ahead at home to East Antrim at the break. Mid Antrim extend lead to 20 shots. Mid Antrim win by 24
Monaghan 58 - 43 St Down
Meath shock Foyle winning by 3

Teams - which can produce?

Teams for the men's inter-zone quarter finals are on bowlsni site.
Players can see the final ahead but can they perform in what promise to be pressurised situations.
Such is the desire to win and the tension of these games that the selectors of Mid Ulster and Oriel are still mulling over their final line-ups.
Mid Ulster have named their 24 but the selectors continue to deliberate over the right formula and may spring a few positional surprises that Donegal may find unsettling. Donegal have taken a brave step and keep faith with the 24 who progressed with the help of many from Mid Antrim. This is a gamble as the majority of their rinks could and should have been beaten.
Oriel know the magnitude of the task they face against North West and are therefore giving their final line-up the utmost consideration.
North West have made changes and are confident of success. It will depend on which North West turns up. Hot and cold is an understatement, as hot as one rink can reach another could be as chilly.
North Down created one of the biggest upsets in MIZ when they defeated Armagh royals. Provided they do not become content to have beaten Armagh and reach this stage they could upset Mid Tyrone.
Mid Tyrone are under new management this season and one of the main issues to be addressed is inconsistency. They have plenty of it, they need to get rid it.
The fourth quarter final between North Eastern and Lisburn is intriguing in that both teams have tremendous individual talent but have yet to harness it into a feared team unit. This is an excellent opportunity for both teams to claim a rare semi final berth. Lisburn have a menacing look about them but looks can be deceiving while North Eastern have players who know how to win big games.
One of the most interesting games could take place in the shield when Mid antrim take on East antrim. The Mid have had a few narrow wins over their less illustrious neighbours and have never dominated the way they have expected. It is time that the bowls ran the way of the East to prove there is little between the zones.

Invitational Singles

The invitational singles in aid of Tearfund will run again for a second year
Dates of play tues 21st thurs 23rd and finals 24th Feb

Here we go again - CONFUSION

A new rule will be brought in next year regarding tournaments.
However there is already confusion as to whether or not it will be applied universally to tournaments or whether it only applies to the Champion of champions.
Will the IIBA learn from their mishandling of rule 37 and make the wording crystal clear?
Hopefully someone has bought the secretary a new pen for Christmas to replace the quill that caused so much smudging of rule 37 which turned out to be the heinz variety rule.

The new proposed rule relates to having to play with players from the same club.
Will it relate to every tournament whereby friends from different clubs cannot play together?
or
will it relate to the CoC and thereby all tournament winners?

Part of the IIBA objectives is to promote and foster the Short Mat game. Is denying players the opportunity to play with friends on an adhoc basis truly promoting and fostering the game?

Are the executive dictating who players can/cannot play alongside?
Is the executive in total agreement with the new rule, do they all have the same interpretation?
Are the IIBA transparent?
Will they explain the reasons for their new rule?

Will the wording be brought to and approved by the executive council before it goes to print, unlike the heinz variety rule?

To the IIBA, clear the issue up sooner rather than later, do not hide and leave it till the rule book comes out
is the rule to be applied to all tournaments?
if so how will organisers police the rule?
or
will the new rule only apply to the CoC?

Competition Circuit - Honour

Late withdrawals from competitions at times may be unavoidable however it is a matter of courtesy to forward the entry fee to the organiser.
Organisers should not be left out of pocket nor should they have to write to clubs or entrants to chase up unpaid entry fees.
The entry fee is not dependent on whether or not a player partakes in the competition. It is not discretionary but it is an obligation.
If a player enters a tournament and is unable participate the player should forward the entry fee.
There is also no excuse for not showing without having notified the organiser.

Organisers and players should show mutual respect to each other to reduce the number of competition closures
Players enter early and on all occasions pay the entry fee even if you have to withdraw
Organisers - finish at appropriate time, stick to specified numbers each night and do not alter the draw.

Prestigious singles retained

Stevie McKinley has won the PTIBC Singles for the second consecutive year
What a tremendous feat.

Singles Rd 1

S Dunlop Glarryford beat J Beattie St Marks W/O
G Moen Monaghan 7 M Mc Aleese St Colemans 5
M Sproule St Marks 11 G Quigg Ballylagan 3
Q-Finals
G Moen 9 S Dunlop 6
S Mc Kinley Mossley 10 M Sproule 7
M Beattie Strabane 11 T Workman Moneydig 6
R Beattie Conlig 11 B Kane Benvarden 3
S-Finals
S Mc Kinley 11 G Moen 4
M Beattie 8 R Beattie 4
Final
S Mc Kinley 8 M Beattie 6
 

Pairs Q-Finals
R O Neill L Harrison United Services 9 : G Mc Cloy I McClure P.T.I.B.C. 4
J Lynn J Jamesion Ballymena G.C. 11: D Brian G Brian Magheracross 5
G Wilson R Clarke Maghera Pres. 7: C Gilmore R Allen P.T.I.B.C. 6
B Smyth B Kane Benvarden 10@ A Hunter J Gaston Ballymena Utd S.C. 8
S-Finals
R O Neill L Harrison 9 J Lynn J Jamesion 4
R Clarke G Wilson 8 B Smyth B Kane 6
Final
R O Neill L Harrison 11 R Clarke G Wilson 3

(thanks to Dodgy FH for info)

One night fun pairs

Castleton bowling club are running a fun pairs tournament on Friday 13th January

Unlicensed, it's only a fun tournie!
Fri 13th, 2 bowl pairs,
£5 per pair
Starts 7pm
Prize £100 (if entry filled)
Played to finish on night
Contact Michael Chambers 07835792496 any day after 2pm

NEW Stadium Triples tournament

The Jim Baker Stadium is delighted to announce the inaugural Marcus Craig Memorial Trophy proudly sponsored by C&H Electrical. The competition will be held at the stadium on the weekend starting Saturday 28th January 2012.
With prize money exceeding £1000 it promises to be a thrilling competition.

Format
two bowl open handicapped triples event consisting of a round robin group stage on the Saturday which will  then see 12 of the triples returning for the knock out stages and fighting it out for the £600 first prize.

The cost for entry is £15 per triple and is open to both ladies and gents, and not just stadium bowlers but outdoor, shortmat bowlers and beginners a like.  To enter please use the form on our dedicated 
section of our website (link below) or complete an entry form (also available on the website or at all 3 stadiums in the coming days) and return it to the stadium on or before Wednesday 25th January.

We hope to see you there for a memorable competition.
More information and to entry at http://www.jimbakerstadium.com/mcmt/"

Christmas

A time of peace and goodwill
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke chapter 2 verse 14)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah chap9 v6

Once in royal Davids city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby,
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Once in Royal Davids City by C.F. Alexander

A happy and joyous Christmas to all

Dunloy Pres Charity Singles tournie

Dunloy Pres Church Indoor Bowling Club

Charity Singles Competition (All proceeds to British Heart Foundation - Northern Ireland Branch)

Dates Of Play
Mon 9th, Tue 10th, Thur 12th, Fri 13th,
Mon 16th, Tue 17th, Thur 19th, Fri 20th January

Finals Night 21st January

to enter contact Andrew Sayers 07736127447