Bowls: Cookstown maintain unbeaten run with victory over Kilrea

Cookstown started the match well and after eight ends across the board looked well in control. Damien McElroy’s rink led the charge for the Cookies and had a eight shot lead after 12 ends.

While McElroy and his rink where scoring well, it was a different scenario for Cookstowns Liam McHugh whos rink despite good play found themselves 16-2 down at the midway point.

Mark Wilson and his rink had a shaky start though Wilson played a great bowl to lift a count of seven to give his rink a one shot advantage.

Colin Hogg and his rink faced A Cassley and this game started well for Cookstown with fine play from Hogg’s rink. As the game went on Kilrea knew a possible shock was on the cards and their confidence across the green soared as Cookstown looked rattled.

McElroy, and his rink of Vance, Lennox and McKnight knew they had to keep scoring heavy to counteract McHugh’s rink who where in big trouble.

Damien and his rink scored a massive count of 7 in the last end to win 28-13. Mark Wilson had control of his rink match and with good play from McAleavey, Aaron Ward and Jonathan Shepherd the Cookies won by four shots 21-17.

Liam and his rink fought well to the end and scored some valuable shots to bring the score back to a credible 22-15 loss.

Colin and his rink of Marc and Damien McCracken and Philip Wallace where four up going into the last end and saw the match out to win 27-22.

This was a far from vintage performance against a Kilrea team with nothing to lose and the Cookies will know that they will have to raise their game with some title deciding fixtures on the horizon.

Congratulations to Jonathan Shepherd, Colin Hogg and Mark Wilsons triple and Eric Sands, Liam McHugh and Damien McElroy who have qualified for the semi finals of the triples in the NIPBA Championships.

Congratulations also to Chris McKnight, Thomas McAleavey, Gary Scott and Eric Sands who have qualified for the rinks semis in the NIPBA Championships.