Rocks Tour Event Two-Stillorgan

Qualifying Round

The second stop of this season’s new-and-improved Rocks Tour saw players once again take to the lanes at Leisureplex Stillorgan for the five-game qualifying round which would decide the four finalists.

Scoring was typically high as players got to grips quickly with the familiar lanes conditions in Stillorgan, and it became clear early on that the qualifying average would be very high after the five games.

Simon English, winner of October’s opening event of the season, showed why he could well be the man to beat all year by throwing a superb 297 in game one, only missing out on a perfect 300 game after a slightly loose final ball could only knock down seven pins.

Following that up with a 247 in game two it looked like it would be difficult for anyone to qualify above English, but as the games rolled on his standard dropped a little, opening the door for others, including Gareth Williams, making his return to competitive tournament bowling this season, and Alan Bride, returning after 5 months out with a hand injury.

It was an intriguing finish to qualifying, with English managing to get to 205 pins over scratch, before Williams managed to better that target with 230 over. Their averages were 246 and 241 respectively.

Joining them in the finals were Brendan Healy and Alan Bride. The standard of play in qualifying was remarkable throughout the field, with 21 bowlers averaging 200 or better.

In the handicap section, October’s winner Aoife Hall, herself also returning to competitive bowling this season, lead the way again with 1234. Her nearest challenger in qualifying was Paul Flannery, who shot 1103, with Keith Rynhart and Paul Chandler doing enough to join them in the finals.

Scratch Section-Final Step One

The opening game of the scratch finals saw Alan Bride, Brendan Healy and Simon English face off in a one-game match, with the loser dropping out and the other two players moving on to the next step.

English never looked in danger of dropping out as he started strongly and eventually comfortably qualified for step two with a game of 226. But there was major tension in the battle between Bride and Healy as both struggled to seize the remaining spot by the scruff of the neck.

Healy looked like he may just have done enough, but then Bride stepped up and showed just why he has been one of the top players in the country for many years, striking out in the final frame to beat Healy by a single pin and take his place in final step two.

Scratch Section-Final Step Two

The second of the three-step final saw leading qualifier Gareth Williams join the action, but it was Simon English who took charge early once again, and never relinquished his hold on the match, eventually shooting 276 to ensure his place in final step three.

Once again Bride gave the on-looking crowd plenty of excitement, with Williams this time the opposing player contributing to the tension. Both players stuttered early but then went on a run of strikes from frame six right to the final frame.

The situation was simple, whoever had the better tenth frame would progress. Williams went first, striking twice in the tenth to pile the pressure on Bride. Bride matched his two strikes and then it was down to one final ball.

Williams struck again to ensure that at the very least he would be part of a final frame play-off. So the pressure was at its highest level. Bride simply had to strike to survive in the match; and that is exactly what he did, again proving he can handle the pressure situations.

So a play-off would decide who would take on English in final step three. Both players struck with their first shot, but Williams eventually blinked first with a nine with his second ball. Bride stepped up and inevitably struck under pressure to take the match and advance.

Scratch-Final Step Three

So it was October’s winner against the returning National Champion in final step three. The two-game match is all about getting a good start and sustaining a lead, and clearly English had this in mind, continuing where he had left off in the last match with another massive game of 278.

In contrast Bride must have understandably been feeling the pace of the event after a long time out with injury, struggling a little to a 202.

Bride was a long way back, but to his credit he dug deep to improve dramatically in game two, shooting 245 to at least put some doubt in the mind of English.

But English, despite dropping his level finally from the previous couple of games, was able to shoot 198, which was enough to hold off Bride and take his second consecutive title of the season and continue his hold on this season’s Rocks tour.  

Handicap Section-Final Step One

The finals of the handicap section got underway with Paul Flannery, Paul Chandler and Keith Rynhart taking to the lanes for the first match. Each player started well, but as the match wore on it was Rynhart who fell away a little, with both Chandler and Flannery putting a long string of strikes together.

Rynhart pushed for a big finish, but an unlucky ten-pin, which he then missed, but pay to his chances of progression. Both Chandler and Flannery closed out big games, eventually progressing, Rynhart’s 227 leaving him well behind their games of 265 and 277 respectively.

Handicap Section-Final Step Two

Leading qualifier Aoife Hall then stepped up against Chandler and Flannery, looking for her second consecutive Rocks Tour victory on her return to competitive bowling. Chandler and Flannery gave it their all to overcome Hall’s superior handicap, but in the end she did enough to ensure her place in final step three, shooting 231 to progress.

It then came down to who would join her, and it was close all the way. However, in the end it was Chandler who was able to find that extra gear to advance, his 220 enough to see of Flannery’s 214.

Handicap Section-Final Step Three

Just as in the scratch section, October’s winner was once again in final step three, and Hall took a handsome handicap advantage into the match with Chandler. Game one saw Hall bowl consistently as she had done all day, and with Chandler also bowling well it was perfectly poised going into game two, Hall leading by just 14 pins.

Chandler picked up the pace as game two moved on, and Hall knew she would need to stay solid and consistent to hold on to her lead. It was an exciting finish, with Chandler putting the pressure on, only to see Hall do just enough to take her second consecutive Rocks tour win, eventually winning by just six pins over the two games, 474-468.

Once again the Rocks Tour served up some exceptional bowling, high tension and exhilarating drama, but in the end both sections saw a repeat winner from the first event of the season a month previously.

Leisureplex Tallaght is the venue for event three on December 15^th, when the best players in the country will try to wrestle the titles away from Simon English and Aoife Hall as the Rocks tour moves on towards the New Year.    

 

 

  

Paul Magee Classic 2013-Tribute to a True Hero

The May bank holiday weekend is fast approaching, and that means only one thing in Irish bowling: The Paul Magee Classic is back!

The popular charity event, first held in 2008, held on the first Sunday in May every year, celebrates the life of the late Paul Magee, who tragically passed away in 2007 after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The event brings together bowlers, both past and present, as well as family and friends, some of whom may never have bowled a ball in their life, such was the popularity of the man.

There truly is a special atmosphere at this event, where competition takes a back seat and celebration of a life taken too early comes to the fore.

There isn’t one person who ever came across Paul who could have a bad word to say about him, and they would have many good ones to boot.

A man at the top of the game competitively for years, it was the spirit of the game which truly mattered to Paul. Whether he won or lost, there was always a smile on his face.

And on top of that he always had time for the next generation of bowlers coming through if they needed a bit of advice or guidance in the game.

I remember all the advice he gave me as a teenager finding my feet in the sport, and his generosity of time and his willingness to help a young boy understand the game better will stay with me forever.

The Classic is the perfect way to pay tribute to the great man. The day starts off early with the first of two packed squads of bowling, again testament to the popularity of the man that numbers usually exceed 150 players on the day.

It is a tournament like no other; the lights are dimmed, players are packed into the lanes, the prizes flow like water as the MC on the mike Sean Kennedy puts players on the spot to get a strike when the green pin is set down on their lane.

The atmosphere is like no other I have ever experienced, and this only continues into the afternoon as the event moves across to the Orchard Inn on the bottom of the hill in Stillorgan Village.

Glasses clink together as those who held Paul dear toast to his life and reminisce about their own favourite memories of the great man. There is live bands and a raffle, and all the proceeds go towards the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

This is a special day on the calendar, and one that is unrivalled by any other in Irish bowling. It is quite simply a day not to be missed as we pay tribute to a great man and a great loss to Irish sport and to those who loved him.

Let us once again come together this May Bank Holiday weekend and raise a glass to a legend deeply missed, a true hero, Paul Magee.   

Stillorgan Kegel Challenge Singles-Week One

1. Darragh McLoughlin (HCP 9): 182  179  241  248: 850+36  Total: 886
2. Craig Farr (HCP 20): 215   134   244   183:   776+80   Total: 856 
3. Hannah Cullen (HCP 9): 205   193   220   187:   805+36   Total: 841   
4. Janis Stepitis (HCP 32): 149   222   158   183:   712+128   Total: 840
5. Ray Cullen (HCP 38):  140   181   180   144:    645+152   Total: 797
6. Dave English (HCP 8): 174   189   209   192:   764+32   Total: 796
7. Philip Kavanagh (HCP 32): 149  147  168  124: 588+128 Total: 716
8. Jason Byrnes (HCP 12): 147  177  138  196: 658+48: Total 706

                    

National Championships 2012

Irish Tenpin Bowling National Championships

Paul Stott in control after opening weekend

Paul Stott holds a commanding 120-pin lead after the first weekend of the tenpin bowling National Championships.

In the women’s section, defending champion Hannah Cullen holds a more slender 20-pin lead.

The event, being held in Leisureplex Stillorgan, runs over two consecutive weekends, with coompetitors taking part in singles, doubles, trios and five-man competition with the aim of making the final all Events round and ultimately become Irish National Champion.

The winner also gets to represent Ireland in the European Champions Cup later in the year. That event will be held in The Hague in Holland in 2012.

Singles

Stott put on a classy performance in the singles event on Saturday morning, shooting a 237 average for five games while others struggled around him on the tricky oil condition.

Closest to Stott was Barry Foley, who scored a 209 average, with Simon English in close pursuit in third with a 208 average.

Simon’s father Dave English had to settle for fourth, just outside the medal positions, while defending champion Alan Bride finished up in fifth.

The top eight was completed by Darryl Egan, Ray Byrne and Fran Puzzouli.

Overall scoring was fairly low on an unfamiliar oil pattern, with only eight men averaging 200 or better.

In the women’s section, defending champion Hannah Cullen showed she will not give up her title lightly, taking the gold with a 207 average.

Yvonne Randell took the silver medal with a 186 average, while the bronze medal went to Sarah Finlay with a 183 average.

Amanda Larkin, Caitriona Mulhall and Aimee Kellegher rounded off the top six spots, the number of competitors who will make the women’s final next weekend.

Doubles

Dave English and Sean McDonnell took gold in the men’s doubles on Sunday morning, pipping Paul Stott and Stephen O’Connor by 15 pins over the four games.

Barry Foley, who shot an impressive 955 for his four games, and Brendan Brady finished in the bronze medal position, closely followed by Darragh McLoughlin and Alan Bride.

There was then nearly a 100-pin drop down to fifth position, taken by Kevin Fitzgerald and Jason Byrnes, and sixth spot, taken by Karl Dryer and Haulie Storan.

In the ladies section, gold went to Sara Kelly and Aimee Kellegher, silver to Caitriona Mulhall and Hannah Cullen, and bronze to Elaine Lalor and Carol Cathpole.

Just outside the medals were Catherine Doherty and Sarah Finlay, although there was some consolation for Finlay who shot 907 for her four games and shot up the overall standings table. She was bettered only by Kellegher, who shot 909.

All Events

Stott has a significant 120-pin lead in the men’s section, with Barry Foley currently second and Dave English 58 pins further back.

The top eight qualifying positions are currently rounded off by Alan Bride, Simon English, Paul Chandler, Darryl Egan and Kevin Fitzgerald, but with two events still to play next weekend it could still all change come next Sunday.

Hannah Cullen leads the way in the women’s section, with a 19-pin lead over Sarah Finlay. Aimee Kellegher is third, 44 pins further back. The other three qualifying positions in the women’s section are currently held by Carol Catchpole, Yvonne Randell and Caitriona Mulhall.

For all the action from the final weekend of the tenpin bowling National Championships, and to find out who will be crowned Irish National Champions, make sure to follow Bowltalk’s coverage of the event next weekend, and for full results log on to www.tenpin-ireland.com

Irish Open 2012 Review

American Brian Voss showed his experience and class to win the 2012 Irish Open Championships this past weekend and claim the €3,500 first prize.

The 25-time winner on the PBA Tour took complete control of the round robin final on Sunday to overtake number one qualifier, England’s Matt Hann, who eventually fell back to finish fourth.

England’s Steve Kay continued his good form after his perfect 300 game in the round of 32 to finish in second place, with the highest placed Irishman being Alan Gibbons in third. The other Irishman to make the top 8 final, Paul Stott, finished up in sixth place, but Stott will still remember the event fondly after he shot an Irish record 1114 pins for just four games in round one, which included a 298

In the women’s section, England’s Hayley White pipped Irish champion Hannah Cullen to first place by just 19 pins. White was the only woman to bowl a perfect 300 game in the tournament, and she had to use all her nerve to hold off a strong challenge from Cullen. Scotland’s former champion Laura Rhoney finished third, with Ireland’s two-time winner Kerena Dykes, Amanda McDermott and Aimee Kellegher finishing sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

The event will be remembered for its incredibly high standard of scoring, with seven perfect 300 games bowled over the four days of play, and a qualifying average for the second round (top 64) of 206, and the top 32 qualifying average of a remarkable 217.  

Next year is bound to see the standard only improve again as more and more top bowlers make their way to the event, which will once again be sponsored by Columbia 300, one of the biggest companies in the world of tenpin bowling. And with the 2013 championships coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of tenpin bowling in Ireland, it certainly looks like onwards and upwards for Irish bowling.

24th Irish Open Championships

The 24^th Irish Open Tenpin Bowling Championships take place in Leisureplex Stillorgan this weekend, with a record number of bowlers making the trip from across the country and the world.

The championships are hosted in Stillorgan each year, but this year’s impressive entry can be put down to the introduction of a new top-of-the-range oiling machine which the centre purchased towards the end of 2011. The new machine allows the centre to create conditions which can match the European and American bowling tours, which has almost certainly caused the influx of entries from abroad.

The tournament has a history of attracting the world’s top bowlers, with previous winners ranging from EBT legends Tomas Leanderson and Tore Torgersen to Europe’s newest world star, England’s Dominic Barrett, who has won the tournament in three of the last four years.

There has never been an Irish male winner in the event, something that many of our bowlers are desperate to amend. And there is a glimmer of hope for the locals, with the dominant Barrett not making the trip to defend his 2011 title due to other commitments. Irish men have gone close before, no more so than Alan Gibbons’ runner-up finish last year. He will be looking to go one better when the action kicks off on Thursday January 19^th. Others to watch out for locally are Irish Champion Alan Bride and regular finalist Graham Turner. There are plenty of other contenders, including young talent such as Simon English and EBT winner this year Paul Stott. All-in-all there is reason for optimism going into the event. 

On the women’s side we have had some recent success, with Kerena Dykes winning in 2007 and again in 2009. Similar to the men’s section, the reigning female champion, Australia’s Cassie Staudinger, is not returning to defend her title this year.  Dykes will not be the only female hope for Ireland going into the event, either. Irish champion Hannah Cullen will certainly be hoping to go all the way this year, and others such as Caitriona Mulhall could also use international experience to her advantage when the pressure is on this weekend.

Overall 2012 is an exciting year for the Irish Open Championships, with the tournament being sponsored by American giants Columbia 300. Columbia are one of the biggest names in tenpin bowling, making equipment brands such as Ebonite and Hammer, along with their own signature equipment. The involvement of such a prestigious company has added some real credibility to an event which is already steeped in history, and the strength of the field making the trip from overseas backs this up. Former champion Tore  Torgersen is returning for the first time in several years to an event he has always excelled in, and former PBA American Tour bowler Brian Voss is making the long journey from the States to make his first appearance in the tournament.

To have a big name from the United States coming to the event speaks volumes for the reputation which this event has built up over the years, especially when you consider how small of a following tenpin bowling has at a competitive level in this country. It is the biggest event on the tenpin bowling calendar, and it always provides some world class action over the course of the weekend.

The event begins with the first squad at 14:30 on Thursday, January 19^th, and runs all weekend to the 8-player round robin finals on the Sunday afternoon. If you are involved in tenpin bowling, or whether you simply are interested in coming down for a taste of the electric atmosphere, this one is not to be missed.

Phil Hulst becomes the new face of DV8 Bowling

21-year-old Dutch bowler Phil Hulst has become the latest staff player for DV8 Bowling, the brand introduced this year Valcke services.

"With DV8 I want to do the best I can," Phil says. Phil sowed his intentions by bowling a perfect game with the DV8 Misfit on October 9th in his first appearance as a DV8 staff member.

Phil, who will be known to many bowlers in Ireland from his appearances in the Irish open and the Junior Irish Open in recent years,  has joined Gery Verbruggen, Wendy Kok, Nicole Sanders and Thierry Sacco on the DV8 team.