Castlewellan & District Skittle League Division One

By Mal Burns

THE top four teams in Division Two of the Castlewellan and District Skittles League met at the Bridge Bar on August 31 to play-off for the League title.

The first semi between Dundrum Inn B and Savage’s Bar was all one-way traffic with the Inn winning all six games. Savage’s had their chances but Lady Luck let them down.

Brian Johnston took the first game with a 19 finish against Chris Cunningham. Neill Boyle, having lost only two games all season, had a 19 skittle win over Blaine O’Hare.

Oliver Boyle, also with 19, took the third against Connor McAlinden. The third member of the Boyle family, Damian, had a 10 skittler against Rory McPhillips. Stevie Wynn and Gerard Ward were both beaten with finishes of 17 by Ian Craig and Matt Hawkins, to leave Dundrum Inn in the final.

In the second semi between Castlewellan Club and The Rock, PJ Morgan won the first game for The Rock in 12 skittles against Johnny Brannigan and Joe Bannon replied with a 16 skittle finish against P J McClean to level the match.

The theory that youth is no substitute for experience was tested when Regan McClean took the third with an 18 skittle finish against an experienced Teddy Rice. In the fourth, Sean O’Hare and Charlie Harper had trouble finding their range but Charlie won with 19 to keep the match on par.

The Rock’s captain Peter Doherty nudged his side into the lead with a 21 skittle win against Peter McKibben and Rory McAlinden forced a draw and a three-man play-off with a 14 skittle win over Vincy Kane.

In the first game in the play-off Joe Bannon beat PJ Morgan with a 14 skittle finish. Kieran Rogers replied for The Rock with 16 against Rory McAlinden to level the match and Regan McClean beat Johnny Brannigan in 15 to put The Rock into the final.

The Rock led the League in the first half, with Dundrum Inn B always nipping at their heels. The second half saw the tables reversed, so justice was served to see these two teams in the play-off.

The final started with PJ Morgan claiming first blood for The Rock with a 15 skittle win over Oliver Boyle. Neill Boyle, true to form, replied with 15 against PJ McClean and Kieran Roger put The Rock back in the lead with a 13 skittle finish against Damian Boyle.

Regan McClean (19) kept the pressure on The Inn by taking out Brian Johnston and Dundrum captain Ian Craig (16) and Matt Hawkins (16) forced a three-man play-off by beating Sean O’Hare and Peter Doherty.

In the first play-off Neill Boyle took no chances and finished 12 against PJ Morgan and a 16 skittle finish from Matt Hawkins against Kieran Rogers made Dundrum Inn B Division Two champions.

The standard of play on the night was in keeping with the top four teams meeting.

* The League extends sympathy to Teresa Polland and family on the death of her mother Maura.