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As anticipated the ladies inter-zone final between Oriel and South Tyrone was a close run affair. After three ends South Tyrone opened an eight shot advantage with only one of the six rinks still to record on the scoreboard. The pressure eased on the next end as Michelle Martin’s rink scored two shots to open their account against an enthusiastic Peggy Cairns. A four on the same end for Jill Roullier’s foursome took them into the lead on mat 2. By the completion of end five the rink scores read:
M Carroll 2 v J Oscar 4
J Roullier 5 v K Daly 4
M Martin 2 v P Cairns 6
The momentum swung in favour of Oriel when Cairns lay five shots but Martin held her nerve and calmly drew shot. Cairns offered her hand in genuine display of congratulations for such an important bowl. Sportsmanship at its optimum. On the next end Martin ditched the jack and claimed a count of five. Cairns battle back and the scores were level entering the 10th end. Martin picked up a three and Carroll claimed a two with the jack in the ditch to give Oriel a two shot interval lead.
M Carroll 5 v J Oscar 10
J Roullier 10 v K Daly 6
M Martin 11 v P Cairns 8
Oriel 26 v South Tyrone 24
Oriel immediately extended their advantage to 7 shots after the first end of the second period with all rinks scoring. South Tyrone hit back and by the middle of the second half had cancelled out Oriel’s advantage and edged ahead at one stage by a shot only to have it immediately taken away. A count of six for McMahon put Oriel in control as Rachel Brennan converted several heads into ones and twos to lead 13-1 going into the final end. The scoreline was harsh on the South Tyrone front end but also an indication of how well Mary O’Hare and Rachel Brennan were playing. Brennan was superb nudging, nurdling and drawing all with precision. Her use of precise weight was phenomenal throughout the whole game. South Tyrone did claim four shots on the final end to give a truer reflection of the quality that both rinks had displayed. That four a single and a two on the other mats brought Oriel’s advantage down to only four shots with two games finished and two individual ends remaining. Oriel got over the line as they calmly drew as south Tyrone were forced to chase shots. Patricia Hanlon was decisive in decision making and thought process throughout the game and was instrumental in Oriel seeing out the victory when the pressure mounted. Margaret McGrath was the stand out performer for South Tyrone in the second period as she guided her rink to an impressive 8 shot win.
C McMahon 15 v A McKiver 8
I Hanratty 5 v M McGrath 13
R Brennan 13 v C Campbell 5
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