North West in mood to retain junior zone title

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Adam RankinAdam Rankin
Adam Rankin

Even though they lost two members of the side that triumphed last season, North West still appear to have the credentials to become the first zone to lift the title three years on the bounce.

“We are upbeat ahead of the tournament. We have a new skip in Jamie Cochrane, who will be joined by Adam Rankin and Graham Kennedy,” said O’Neill.

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“In addition, we have Jordan Rankin and Craig Marshall playing at the back end. They all featured for the men’s team earlier this year.

“Not to be outdone, Shauna O’Neill will again be one of our key back end players. She also played for the ladies team this year.

“Keelan Nelson and Rachel Cochrane, Hannah Cochrane and Tamsin Elder are the new faces on show.

“In fact, Rachel, Hannah and Tamsin have the benefit of playing in ladies senior team. So we have a formidable squad assembled for the competition.”

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North West will approach the event as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

O’Neill added: “We have entered two teams again. We have be overwhelmed this year with 44 young ones attending out coaching sessions.

“Everyone is looking forward to the challenge. Being favourites brings its own pressures. To make it even more competitive, there will be 14 zones on the starting grid, instead of 12.

“We know we have to be at our best because teams like Western, Monaghan and Mid Ulster will be keen to take our crown, while Oriel, with Irish international Shane Hand in their team, are always a threat.”

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n Entries are still being accepted for the 2nd Limavady Annual Open Pairs Tournament when the The Semple Perpetual Challenge Cup will be up for grabs.

It will be staged at the Church Hall, Irish Green Street, Limavady from Tuesday-Thursday, February 16-18; recommencing on Tuesday and Thursday (23-25) the following week. Finals night is scheduled for Saturday, February 27.

Entry fee is £6 per pair. For full details, contact: James Spiers (028 77764561) or (07784358863).

n Ballybrakes Community Indoor Bowls Club is hosting a Round Robin Short Mat pairs tournament on Saturday, February 27 -- with a whopping prize found of £1425 up for grabs.

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Entry fee is £25. Entries - only the first 96 will be accepted - to Donna McCloy (07764 469006), or email: [email protected].

Alternatively, anyone interested can use the Ballybrakes CIBC facebook page.

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