Gary adds another title to his collection
Editorial Department • Published 16 Feb 2012 13:00
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Jimmy Murphy, Chairman, Coa Bowling Club, presenting the winner's prize to Gary Burke.
Wellington bowler Gary Burke went one step further this year, when after losing out last year in the final of Coa singles, this year he deservedly collected the much sought after and coveted title.
The popular Coa tournament attracted almost 280 bowlers who travelled from all parts of the bordering counties and over the seven nights bowling produced some excellent bowling and of course the usual upsets.
After the usual qualifying evenings a total of 18 bowlers returned for finals night and the results of the two preliminary rounds were: Sam Crawford Coalisland 9, Brian Shields Clanaloge 8, Stewart McSorley Ardstraw 4, Gary Burke Wellington 8.
In the first round the results were as follows:
S Duffy 3 Coalisland G Burke Wellington 8
G Brians Magheracross 8 Gary McNabb Trory 10
N Crane Kilskeery 7 R Soames Dunkineeely 6
M Malone St Johns 9 A Graham Wellington 10
S Carleton Drum 6 D McAlaister Cookstown 7
N Noble Wellington 9 G Moane Clontibret 8
G Beatty St Michaels 0 G Smyth Cookstown 11
E Hamilton Donaghmore 2 M Mulligan Drumquin 9
In the first of the quarter finals G Smyth Cookstown booked his semi final place with the greatest of ease against N Crane Kilskeery winning by 12 shots to 1, D McAlaister Cookstown had a comfortable 11 shots to 4 victory over M Mulligan, Alan Graham deserved his 7 shots to 5 win over Gary McNabb in a hard fought encounter while in an all Wellington affair Gary Burke defeated fellow club member Norman Noble by 8 shots to 6.
In the first of the semi's between D McAlaister and Gary Burke it was the Wellington bowler who went into an early lead but in a superb game McAlaister pulled back to square the game at 6 shots each at the penultimate end. Gary once again for the second year secured a final place when he chalked up a single in the last to win by 7 shots to 6. In the remaining semi G Smyth had the advantage of a 5 shot lead against Alan Graham after four ends had been played and although Alan came back into the game in the following few ends it was the Cookstown player that deservedly progressed to the final by 7 shots to 6.
The scene was set for what on paper would be a bowling spectacular and the large number of spectators were not disappointed.
At the end of the seventh end of the ten end game the score was locked at five shots each and every thing to play for by the two competitors.
In the eighth and ninth end the Wellington International bowler outclassed his opponent by chalking up a brilliant two in the eighth and a match winning three in the penultimate end and with out playing the final end became the worthy winner of the 2012 Coa Singles title.
The assistant secretary Brendan Donnelly thanked, all the ladies of the club who provided the very acceptable eatables in the hall's very impressive new kitchen, the club members, the markers and Tony Moohan umpire.
Brendan made special mention of thanks to all the generous sponsors who had supported the tournament.
The evening came to a conclusion when the chairman Jimmy Murphy presented all finalists with their well earned prizes.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Feb 12
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