Cookstown v Portush , Senior League, 30-April-2011
Portrush travelled to Cookstown with high spirits after a good start with 6 Points against Ballycastle on the opening day.
Rink 6
Gazza McCloy came up against Liam McHugh. Gary's rink kept up the good form from last week, totally controlling the game to run out easy winners. Rodney McAllister showed good form this week again.
Rink 5
Jackie Smyth against Colin Hogg, with Jackie's rink playing well and dominating the game, it was only sensational bowling byt Colin that kept the Cookstown rink in the game. It ended up all square on the last end, Hogg Bear rolled out shot bowl with his first to lie game; but Jackie, not to be denied played a cracking bowl to roll Colin out and lie game to Portrush again. Hoggy had a great attempt with his last bowl, but just missed reclaiming the shot to leave the delighted Portrush rink winning their point.
Rink 4
Eddie Curran against Damien McIlroy. The Portrush rink never got going, and trailed the whole game. in the end they ran out losers by 9 shots, but it could have been a lot worse. Its certainly not the start Eddie was hoping for in the 1st two games, but hopefully things will turn around very soon.
Rink 3
Ian McClure drew Mark Wilson. Ian's rink started well and took a 12-4 lead early in the game, playing good positive bowls. However, Ian's front end could not keep up this standard, and the Cookstown men took their opportunity and dragged themselves into a winning position, leading by 5 shots with two ends to go. The Portrush rink claimed a single shot in the penultimate end, to leaves themselves 4 down in the last end, but more importantly 1 up in the overall score. Unfortunately, Eric Sands put in a solid shot which meant the Portrush rink had to play a defense head, although Ian had a chance to spring the jack, if it went wrong Portrush would lose the overall. A single on the last end tied the game, both clubs 3.5 points each.
The game in general saw Portrush command a lead for most of the way, always threatening to kick on and close out the points; but this never happened, and Cookstown to their credit nearly pulled off victory themselves.
9.5 points from the 1st two games is a satisfactory start to the season, and we now look forward to the next game against Coleraine.
