Bowls: Seconds see of Dromore in last match of season

The first target was achieved with comfortable ease. John Phillips, just back from holiday, had not lost a game at skip in the league this season. His County Down guests were quickly subdued and overwhelmed by a massive 32 - 9 margin. His engineroom of Colin Todd and Michael Osbourne did not let the unusually early start disturb their concentration and they enjoyed 14 successful ends.

The Whitehead men’s second objective was more complicated. This team had not lost a home game all season! Dromore had already secured the League title and represented a serious threat to that proud record. Whitehead were without president, and super-skip, Dean Smith who was off on honeymoon, but welcomed back several stalwarts who had been holidaying or on first team duty.

The Connor combination eased home 28 - 19 and banked a second precious point. They got off to a magnificent start but saw that early advantage eroded to a mere three shots by the 20th end.

A superb six restored equilibrium on the last end. Skip Connor was pleased with the performance of Johnny O’Neill and second Hugh McHugh, but he was delighted by the tremendous display of shot-making from his third, Cecil Knox.

Geoff Falconer nearly grabbed another point but fell agonisingly short. Apprentice lead, Lee Thompson was given another start at lead with Larne starlets Andy Thom and Simon Beggs combining in mid-rink. They recovered from a sluggish start and actually established a one-shot lead after 18 dramatic ends. Visiting Dromore skip Cranney roused his rattled troops, however, and, by winning the last three heads, scraped home 18 - 23.

The Crooks four drew the short straw and had to face the might of Dromore’s Malcomson rink. Though they lost 13 - 25, they battled gamely all afternoon and ensured that the damage was not critical.

The overall match was won by a handsome 16 shots and that proud home record was intact!

This has been Whitehead Juniors’ most successful season ever. No other N.I.B.A. ‘B’ team has reached the dizzy heights of Division Two and they have beaten each team in that league at least once. Add the Junior Cup to that, and Dean’s boys have a lot to be proud of.

Result: Whitehead ‘B’ (91) 5 Points v Dromore ‘A’ (75) 2 Points