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JUNIOR SINGLES

The North West juniors single took place on Saturday 11th February 2012 held in Derramore church hall.

The first round games commence with Jordan Mullan (St. Mary’s, Ballerin) getting a walk over, Alan Cochrane (Leck) played excellent bowls to overcome the young talented Adam Rankin (Derramore), Craig Marshall(Dungiven Church Of Ireland) just edged past Emma McLucas (Christ Church), Graham Kennedy (Largy) had to be at his best to overcome the challenge of Lee Devenney (1st Limavady), James Caskie (Derramore) was another young player who had to produce excellent bowls to beat John Crown (Largy), Jamie Cochrane (Largy) played well to beat Shauna O’Neill (Limavady CRFC), Jordan Rankin continue his good form this season to beat the challenge of Zoe McLucas (Christ Church) and completing the first round matches was Stephen Kennedy who prove too strong in the end for Gregory Marshall (Dungiven Church Of Ireland).

After the first round the matches the quarter-final line up was as follows;
Jordan Mullan Vs Alan Cochrane
Craig Marshall Vs Graham Kennedy
James Caskie Vs Jamie Cochrane
Jordan Rankin Vs Stephen Kennedy

Jordan Mullan did not take long to get into his game and took an early lead against Alan playing some excellent bowls; credit to the young Leck star as he fought back to lost his game by four shots.

Craig Marshall and Graham Kennedy served a real treat for the large crowd with one of the games of the day, both player exchanged ends throughout this match and on the final end Graham had the upper hand leading by one shot, with his final delivery Graham played one of the best bowls of the day to secure second shot, thereby, taking the match into a tied end, both players produced excellent bowls but on this day Graham produced the match winner.
James Caskie and Jamie Cochrane were playing attacking bowls in this match; Jamie took an early lead and maintains this throughout to book his place in the semi-final.

Jordan Rankin had the difficult task of playing Stephen Kennedy, a challenge that very few in the hall would have given him a chance. Never right off a Rankin especially in their own hall as Jordan was producing excellent bowls throughout this match and as both pairs were commencing their last end nothing was to separate the two of them as the score board was reading six all, Jordan produced the first good bowl drawing to six inches of the jack, this bowl seem to be the match winner but as in my junior zone report, cometh the hour, cometh the man, Stephen produced the best bowl of the day under pressure to draw on top of the jack to secure his semi-final spot.

Semi-Final:
Jordan Mullan Vs Graham Kennedy
Jamie Cochrane Vs Stephen Kennedy
Jordan and Graham produced another excellent match as both players were on top of their game, heavy blows were exchange in the first few ends as Graham was just edging this match, 6-3 up with three ends to play, Jordan secure the next two ends with single shots leaving the match 6-5 in favour Graham entering the last end. Jordan had the upper hand in the last end and as Graham was about to deliver his last bowl a count of three was against him, Graham had the choice of what hand he would play and decided the back hand was his best option, as he delivered his bowl a very anxious Jordan watched with baited breath as Graham’s bowl was making its way across the front line, his bowl got caught on a short bowl or else Graham was drawing shot. Well played to both players as Jordan made it to the final.

The second semi was an all Largy battle with Jamie up against Stephen, Stephen took an early lead but Jamie fought really hard and was making Stephen play good bowls to maintain his early advantage. As the ends were running out for Jamie he tried everything in this match but Stephen’s experience prove to be decisive as he controlled the last couple of ends to secure his place in the final.

Final: Jordan Mullan Vs Stephen Kennedy
The battle of the big dogs took place as most of the pundits would have predicted, both players did not have it their own way making it to the final.
Jordan got off to a good start against Stephen winning the first two ends giving himself an early advantage, this advantage was maintain throughout the match and both players show respect towards each other, as ends were running out Stephen had no choice but to chase the game but was unlucky with some of the bowls he played but credit to Jordan who proved to be the best player on the day.

On behalf of the junior zone I would like to wish Jordan the best of luck when he plays in the finals of the IIBA on Saturday the 10th March 2012 at Ballybrakes IBC, Ballymoney.

Thanks to Noleen Cochrane, Philomena Dickson and Caitlin O’Neill who provided sandwiches for all the players and spectators.