Armagh Ladies go through after a great display against Oriel

ARMAGH ladies earned themselves a place in the third round of the Irish Inter-zone Championships after a brilliant display against Oriel Zone at the weekend.

It was exciting for the spectators but nail biting for the players as the games were close.

The standard of bowls was so good this game would have been worthy of any final.

On Mat One, Elizabeth Smyth, Eleanor Hunter, Linda Milligan and Rachel Cassells played Jill Roulliers’s rink.

This was a good tight game and at six ends the scores were locked at 3-3. In the last few ends Oriel scored two singles and a two to win seven shots to three.

On Mat Two, May Cassells, Michelle Wright, Marlene Hobson and Diane Agnew played Imelda Hanratty’s four.

In the first half of this game, Oriel had the edge over Armagh, leading 5-2 at six ends. However, May’s rink clawed back with scores of a singe, a two, and a great four to win their game nine shots to six.

On Mat Three, Daphne Marshall, Anne Crozier, Ann Patton and Hilary Agnew played Sadie Larkin’s rink.

Armagh ladies went into a 6-2 lead at the half way stage but Oriel fought back with scores of two singles, a two and a three to steal this game nine shots to eight.

At the interval Armagh were two shots adrift 20-22.

In the second half the Armagh supporters got behind their players to try and lift them and that they did.

On Mat Four, Flo McNally, Agnes Crozier, Sandra Whittle and Lesley Strain played Bernie Cunningham’s four.

Another very close game but Oriel went into a 5-2 lead at six ends.

Armagh fought back with scores of two singles and a good three to earn themselves a draw, seven shots each.

On Mat Five, Catherine McMillen, Samantha Corrigan, Eileen McDonald and Irene Doone played Rachel Brennan’s four.

Catherine scored a three and a four in the first two ends but by the halfway stage Oriel had pulled back to 7-5, then Armagh moved up a gear and with scores of two singles, three and another brilliant four to win very convincingly, 16 shots to six.

On Mat Six, Pauline Beattie, Sheelagh Garvey, Sophia Minish and Sadie White played Carol McMahon’s rink.

This was another very close game.

At five ends the score was four shots each but by the eighth end Oriel had gone into a three shots lead but Pauline, being the player she is, played an opposition bowl out to record a brilliant five and put the game out of reach.

Armagh were now 10 shots ahead and there was no need to play the last end.

Armagh now play Cork in Richhill on the Saturday, January 7, 2012 in Colthurst Hall,Richhill.

It is hoped Armagh men can do the same when they take on North Down in Richhill on Saturday next, starting at 2pm sharp.

St Matthew’s and St Mark’s met this week in the second round of the Armagh Zone Cup.

The first leg ended in a draw, 36 shots each.

They have to start all over again when they meet on Friday night in the second leg.