Newcomers Abbey Bowls claim KWWIBA league title in debut year

Abbey Bowls, who draw their players from the Abbeyleix and Ballacolla area in Co. Laois and play their matches in a little village called Clough (pronounced cluck by the locals) a few miles away from Ballacolla, sought admission to the Kildare West Wicklow competitions last year due to a lack of any structured competitions in their own area. The clubs in the KWWIBA accepted this application wholeheartedly.

They certainly proved to be a very formidable side in the Division 5 bowling league as they were always holding first or second position throughout the campaign.

This being their last game of the current league against Allenwood would be the deciding factor for promotion. Having home advantage would certainly give them a slight edge, but they would be foolish to take anything for granted.

I am sure in the back of their minds the thought of the bitter memory away to the same opposition before Christmas where they were utterly and completely destroyed by an almost perfect performance from Allenwood would guard against overconfidence.

Allenwood on the otherhand would be rated as the surprise packet to be in with a shout for promotion. They have very much proved their worth with some outstanding performances and results to date.

If Allenwood were to take all five points on offer in this match it would give them a great chance of promotion as they would still have a game in hand, and possibly overtake and surpass their opponents, who then would be on tender hooks awaiting results from other games.

To the game itself especially on one mat the home side were in devastating form from the start.

Although the visitors were very much holding their own for the first six ends or so, but that was as good as it got, because for the remainder of the game it was all one-way traffic as the home team cantered to a very convincing victory of 28/6.

On the second mat things were very much different as Abbey Bowls had to withstand a very stiff challenge from their opponents. At one stage it seemed as if the home team had weathered the storm as they commanded a lead on a scoreline of 12/6. But it was far from over as Allenwood recovered and closed the gap to two scores with two ends to play. The visitors failed to keep up the momentum and a relieved Abbey Bowls saw out the game to win on a scoreline of 17/11

The five points sees Abbey Bowls crowned league champions in their first year of competition and can look forward to competing in Division 4 next season. Allenwood with their remaining game and depending on results elsewhere may still make second place and gain promotion.

(Mat1) Abbey Bowls: Lolly Kavanagh, Eddie Hayes, John McDonald, Seamus Lalor and sub Sean Delaney.

Allenwood: Ann Dunne, Patricia Fanning, James Kenna, Henry Farrell and sub Maura Doyle.

(Mat2) Abbey Bowls: Pat Fitzpatrick, Mary McDonald, Mary O’Keeffe, Richie Lyons and sub Linda Byrne.

Allenwood: Bríd Scully, Peggie Ryan, Bella Aungier, Betty Cunningham and sub Mary Jacob.

Recent League Results (home team first)

Div.1: Brownstown 3, Kildangan 2: Castlemitchell 5, Brownstown 0.

Div.2: Rathmore 3, Coill Dubh 2; Baltinglass/Kiltegan 4, Athy 1.

Div.3: Caragh 5, Ballymore 0.

Div.4: Kill 3, Ardclough 2; Rathcoffey 5, Balyna 0.

Div.5: Kildare 3, Clane/Staplestown 2.