WARRENPOINT Bowling Club won their first trophy in 21 years when they defeated Antrim on Saturday last, ensuring promotion to Division Three of the Northern Ireland Bowling Association.
The Point knew that they had to win their last game as their nearest rivals Portadown were only four points behind.
Winning three out of the four rinks, with Jimmy Dobbins match against Antrim’s John Mooney ending in a tie 18 shots all, ensured that Warrenpoint got six and a half points of the seven available to win the match and also the league.
Keith Tohill’s rink, with the front end of Tina Keen and Alan Gordon playing a strong hand won by ten shots, while the back end of rink three with John McGuigan and Eamon McLoughlin had a huge winning score of 36 shots to 11.
The final rink of Michael Waterman with Ian Gilmour and Mark McElherron being prominent ebbed and flowed, but the home side eventually won out by three shots, 18 – 15.
At the end of the match, Lee Kershaw received the award for Player of the Year, for his performances throughout the season, while Tina Keen also picked up the award for most Player of the Match nominations during the season.
The match was kindly sponsored by Finn Taxis.
WARRENPOINT v ANTRIM
Rink 1: Martina Keen, Alan Gordon, Lee O’Loughlin, Keith Tohill 26 Shots I. McCullough, R. Hayes, F. Armour, Robert McCullough 16 Shots
Rink 2: Mark McElherron, Brendan Mulvenna, Ian Gilmour, Michael Waterman 18 Shots A. Henderson, W. Beattie, L. Barilly, Ron Walker 15 Shots
Rink 3: Ray Keen, Martin McNally, John McGuigan, Eamon McLoughlin 36 Shots R. Bennett, M. Meeve, R. Close, S. Ray 11 Shots
Rink 4: Paul Lucas, Lee Kershaw, Frank McCarthy, Jimmy Dobbin 18 Shots R. Robinson, L. Dorus, C. Monaghan, John Mooney 18 Shots Warrenpoint 98 Shots, Antrim 60 Shots
