Town march on against leaders

Bessbrook 25(4)

Atrocious weather conditions prevailed throughout a closely fought top of the Veterans Zone League clash between Lurgan 1 and leaders Bessbrook.

The water gushing up the green after the bowls during the final ends.

With one rink well up the home team succeeded in winning the match 30-25 to keep in close touch with Bessbrook who remained on top.

Mansel Montgomery, skipping on Rink 1 for Lurgan, aided by Alan Briggs, Sam Neill and Melvyn Hamilton led 9–3 at the midpoint but aggressive bowling by the Bessbrook rink, who were used to a heavy home green and coped better with the saturating green, saw them take a crucial lead of 11-8 after the 14th end and to begin to eat into Cosgrove’s lead on Rink 2.

Last off the green Montgomery’s rink minimised its deficit and kept Bessbrook’s winning margin to 14–10.

Harry Cosgrove skipped for Lurgan 1 on Rink 2, aided well by Billy Martin, Bobby Boness and Ivor Mitchell.

Cosgrove’s rink was in complete control and had a massive lead of 19-3 after the 13th end but the visitors struck back by winning all the remaining ends, appearing to adapt more readily to wet-underfoot conditions. However the home rink maintained their necessary lead and won 20–11.

Lurgan 2 shared the points at Markethill but kept top spot in their Zone League and barring any unforeseen mishaps during the rest of the season they look set to win the title.

Bobby Ruddell was on Rink 1 with Bobby Jones, Derek Henderson and Ronnie McCullough. After losing the first two ends they stormed into a lead of 8–2 after seven ends but fortunes changed thereafter with the Markethill rink winning all of the remaining ends with a score of 21–9.

On Rink 2 for Lurgan 1 were Alan Briggs, skip, Gerry Stewart, Mike Parr and Roy Poots. The Lurgan got off to a super start leading 12-0 after seven ends. The home rink fought back to win 21–9 and settle for a five points.