Allen secure precious points to help fight relegation threat in KWWIBA

Kildare West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA)

Precious Points Gained May Help Allen Avoid Relegation

As we are approaching the end of the league campaign with only a couple of rounds remaining in all divisions and it is turning out to be a really fascinating finish to the season. With several teams still in contention for promotion in each of their divisions and also several teams fighting to avoid relegation it certainly will make for some compelling and intriguing matches.

One such match on 18th April in the Division 1 clash between Allen and Kildangan was in this category. Allen after a poor season by their standards, were under pressure to perform and gain some valuable points to increase their chances of survival in the top tier for the following season.

Whereas their opponents were under no such pressure, as they are hovering around mid-table and are in no danger of relegation. Kildangan always provide stiff opposition to any club whether it is home or away. This time around it was the turn of the Allen team to have home advantage, and it was felt this would be enough for them to eke out a victory at least on one mat and ease their precarious situation.

Although there was very little between both teams on mat 1 up to the half way mark it was an error by the home team at this stage that allowed the visitors to take the initiative and move into a lead of four. From there to the finish Allen were really chasing the game and never recovered from that error although at times they were very unlucky not to registered scores, and finally lost out on a score of 23/10.

Allen: Mary Brennan, Concepta Mullally, Denis Lyons and Ann McCormack.

It all came down now to mat 2 for Allen to try and salvage some points. Kildangan were first to register a score of one on the first end, but the home team had levelled up matters on the second end. The visitors again took command of the game and were leading 6/1 at the middle of the game. The only thing to Allen’s credit was the fact that they were only giving away the minimum of scores in each end.

But from that point onwards it was the home team that began to play with more confidence and slowly overhauled their opponents. On the tenth end Allen had taken the lead for the first time by one score and continued to put Kildangan on the back foot. With one end left to play Allen had a very comfortable lead of seven. A final effort by Kildangan yielded a score of four, which made the final score look more respectable. Allen were deserving winners on a score of 14/11.

Kildangan take away three points, but more importantly for Allen the two points gives them a little bit more breathing space although they are still in the danger zone, lying third from the bottom a lot will hinge on their final match with the advantage of a home fixture.

Allen: Frank Doyle, Robbie Ivers, Esther Mullally and Seamus Bagnall.

Recent League Results (home team first)

Div.1: Ardclough 5 Baltinglass 0, Brownstown 1 Kildare 4, Caragh 5 Prosperous 0, Allen 2 Kildangan 3, Brownstown 3 Hollywood 2, Prosperous 0 Kildare 5, Kildangan 5 Hollywood 0, Kill CBC 5 Allen 0.

Div.2: Balyna 0 Rathmore 5, Castlemitchell 5 Rathangan 0, Rathmore 5 Blessington 0, Rathangan 3 Balyna 0, Ryston 3 Athy 2.

Div.3: Rathmore 5 Kill 0, Kilcullen 5 Straffan 0, Allenwood 2 Straffan 3.

Ned Byrne Shield (Sec.1): Clane/Staplestown 2 Rathcoffey 3, Kildare A 5 Donard/Glen B 0, Allenwood 0 Clane/Staplestown 5, Balyna 5 Allenwood 0, Allen 5 Kill CBC 0.

Ned Byrne Shield (Sec.2): Kildare B 3 Ryston 2, Clane/Staplestown 3 Kildare B 2,Ardclough 1 Donard/Glen A 4.