Lisburn beat Western by a shot

LISBURN won this first round IIBA Men’s Inter Zone match by a shot in an exciting finish against Western at Loughaghery Presbyterian hall on Saturday.

At the halfway stage Lisburn were ten shots ahead, but it was turned around after the break with the final drama faced by Noel Graham’s rink, who were three shots down but lying a possible overall winning shot. Graham did not have to play his last bowl as Lisburn still held the winning shot.

They now travel to East Antrim in the second round on Saturday, November 24.

Gordon Stubbs was 0-3 down at the third but pulled back to 2-3 two ends later. Lisburn were 5-3 down with two ends left but finished with two and three to win by three shots.

A three at the third brought Nick Haire level at 3-3 after three ends. Lisburn lifted a single next end but were 4-10 down with an end left when they added a double.

Dessie Hamilton dropped a single at the fifth but this was the only lost end and his win was to prove decisive. On the way to an 11 shots win Lisburn ifted a four. They were ten shots up at the break.

After lifting a three at the first Raymond Stubbs was 6-3 ahead at the fifth and Lisburn added a five to take an 11-6 lead but Western came back to snatch a tie at the last end.

Noel Graham dropped a three at the second and was 3-5 down at the fifth. Lisburn added three singles, including the vital one at the last end, though they went down by two shots.

Down 2-3 at the third Paul Reid trailed 2-10 at the eighth. Lisburn lifted a double but dropped another single to lose by seven shots.

S. Kirkwood, M. Beattie, Ron Stubbs, G. Stubbs 8, C. Bradshaw 5; A. Riley, R. Greer, R. Sloan, Nick Haire 6, M. McGrade 10; N. Marsden, C. Connolly, Nathan Haire, D. Hamilton 12, A. Graham 1.

J. McKinley, J. Johnston, N. Hamilton, Raymond Stubbs 11, D. Graham 11; P. Dennison, B. Clinghan, E. Marsden, N. Graham 6, G. Burke 8; A. Morrison, J. Mackey, K. Morrison, P. Reid 4, J. Morris 11.