The Kegel High Street oil pattern gave a welcome boost to scores for the 33 players. The cut to make the Scratch finals was a 221 average posted by Eoghain Lebioda a significant 19 pin increase on Event 6. Jason Byrnes led the qualifying with a 1174 series (234 Avg) and faced Eoghain in the 1st Scratch semi-final. A very tight match saw Jason take the lead early only to be pegged back in the closing stages where Eoghain had to double in the 10th frame to take the win by 198 to Jason’s 194. The 2nd semi-final was another close match with Alan Bride a 3-time winner this season taking on Gareth Williams. It came down who was able to carry and that proved to be Gareth with a strong strikeout finish to take the match 216 to Alan’s 202.
The change of lanes for the Final suited both bowlers who were exchanging strikes throughout the game. Gareth, finishing first in the 10th frame had a chance to shut Eoghain out but failed to double giving Eoghain the chance to take the match if he doubled and got an 8 count, which is exactly what he did to win by 246 to Gareth’s 245.
Sean O’Connor led the Handicap qualifying with 1216 and continued his good form in the 1st Handicap semi-final against Ken Foley (who was playing in his first event of the season following a hip replacement at year end) to claim his spot in the finals by 238 to Ken’s 185. The 2nd semi-final was more of a make the spares and keep out of trouble game which went to Paul Chandler by 205 to a 191 from Paddy Gibbons.
Paul picked up the pace in the final and was never really in trouble from Sean who struggled early in the match following the lane change and despite a ball change was not able to make up any of the lost ground going down by 195 to Paul’s 233.
Congratulations to the winners Eoghain Lebioda (Scratch Division) & Paul Chandler (Handicap Division) and all the finalists. Full details from Event 7 are available on the Rocks Jewellers Tab/Results.
