Bowling News - May 2025
Prompted by the ILB, May began with an an open weekend at many clubs. Mark Hughes did the organising for Bray. The event was widely advertised beforehand and members were on hand Saturday and Sunday to introduce the sport to the 29 potential bowlers that showed up. Other clubs – including Westmanstown, Meath, Herbert Park and Kenilworth - also reported sizeable interest from the public.
Then Bray played host to the transition year ladies of Loreto Secondary School, Bray, and, once again, members were on hand to teach them the basics.
Theresa Martin hurt her bowling hand and had to play her Montgomery Cup singles match using her left hand. Though beaten she was pleased to make it into double figures. And later the same week she and son, Zach, secured a win in the Millane Cup at Leinster. Their reward for that would be a tough away tie against Nicky Smyth and Nikki Ryan of Crumlin.
Other ILB campaigns were going well with some hard-earned away triumphs. Bray had the highest number of representatives of all clubs going into the third round of the Marper cup (men's senior singles). Mind you there are still many big beasts out there waiting in the long grass...
For the first time in recent years the Kenilworth Premier side are playing their home matches on their grass green rather than the artificial. When Bray visited they found the going heavy and managed to secure just half a point.
In this year's men's inter-association series, hosts Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association (NIPBA) retained the title for a second consecutive year. After them came Northern Ireland Private Greens Bowling League (NIPGL), Northern Ireland Bowling Association (NIBA) and the republic's own Irish Lawn Bowls (ILB).
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
For previous posts see our blog.
