BOWLS: Colemans set for PGL singles showdown

It will be something of a unique occasion when Stephen Coleman lines out against his son Alistair. Family ties will be set aside, for a short time at least, as both players, who parade their skills for Ballymena on a weekly basis, strive to claim a place in the final.

There are a number off tasty semi final outings on offer on the same evening, with Alan McLean’s Larne side going head to head with DJ Wilson in the triples, while international pair, Stuart Bennett (Belmont) and Andy Kyle (Larne) collide in the fours. In the Under-18 singles, young guns Sam Barkley and Adam McKeown will go head to head.

Meanwhile, the irrepressible Marty McHugh will attempt to bridge a 19 year gap when he features in the semi final of the Nothern Ireland Bowling Association’s triples championship at Carrickfergus also on Monday night.

He may have rewritten the record books in the singles, but the current big Whitehead man is looking to get his hands on the triples trophy since 1997.

Joined by Jack Montgomery and JR Wilson, McHugh faces club colleague Philip Weir in the semis.

Richard McMullan lost his triples title to Robert Hastings last season, but the Portadown man is is back in a semi final – this time in the fours.

It’s the Divis rink skipped by Gerard McGleave that stands between McMullan and another final appearance.

Monday, August 1: Northern Ireland Bowling Association Championships: Semi finals: Singles: S Coleman (Ballymena) v A Coleman (Ballymena).

Under-25 singles: J Millar (Old Bleach) v D Atkinson (Belmont).

Youth singles: S Barkley (Old Bleach) v A McKeown (Mossley).

Pairs: S Kirkwood, M Nutt (Old Bleach) v D Hynds, J Smyth (Shaftesbury).

Triples: D Witherspoon, S Bell, A McLean (Larne) v D Copeland, C McCartan, DJ Wilson (Dunbarton).

Fours: P Robinson, G Johnstone, J Kerr, A Kyle (Larne) v S Cavan, R Horner, S Martin, S Bennett (Belmont).