Fivemiletown title won by visiting triple

Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

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Nixon Alexander, John Quinn skip and Terrence Patton from the Derrylennon club, winners of the St. John's triples.

The popular St John's triples took place in Fivemiletown recently and as usual was well supported by bowlers from all the bordering counties and of course locally.

Almost 70 triples, totalling over 200 bowlers participated over the four qualifying nights and after some very interesting and competitive games, eight triples returned to 'battle it out' for the coveted St John's title and automatic entry to the all Ireland Champion Of Champions.

In the first of the quarter finals, Irish International skip John Quinn and his triple of Terence Patton and Nixon Alexander heavily defeated Michael McGrade's triple from Donagh club St Joseph's by 8 shots to 2 over seven ends. The game between Benny Hunter's Coa triple and Christchurch triple skipped by Raymond Stubbs, was a much closer affair.

After the sixth end the game was all square at four shots each but in the penultimate end the Christchurch triple sealed their semi-final place with a game winning five shots to eventually win by a 9 shots to 5 victory.

Eric Dougan's Rossory triple edged into a three shot lead after four ends against the Beragh triple skipped by Gerrard Conroy, but unfortunately dropped a total of eight shots in the following three ends to lose out by 9 shots to 4.

In the remaining quarter-final game between the two Tyrone triples, skipped by R Campbell, Cookstown and N Rafferty, Killisher it was the latter triple who just edged victory by a single shot, 8 shots to 7.

In the first of the semi-finals, Conroy's triple had no difficulty against Rafferty winning by 12 shots to 2, while Raymond Stubb's rink had to accept defeat to John Quinn's triple by a 4 shot margin, 9 shots to 5.

The scene was set for the Donegal versus Tyrone final between John Quinn and Gerrard Connolly and the spectators were not disappointed by the standard of play served up by both triples in this final. The score was locked at seven shots each at the finish of the sixth end was a true reflection on how this nip and tuck affair was going. In a super finish the Donegal trio chalked up three shots in the last two ends to seal victory and ended worthy winners of the 2012 St John's triples,

The captain of St John's Bowling Club, Raymond Farrell brought the proceedings to an end by thanking all the bowlers for supporting their annual event with a special word of thanks to the club members for their assistance throughout the week and to Blaney Cartwright who officiated at the tournament. Gladys Dunlop then presented all finalists with their well earned prizes.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12

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