What a day of incredible bowls action at Belfast IBC and Ballybrakes CIBC! The AIIB & IWIBA Championships delivered drama, skill, and unforgettable moments across multiple competitions.
The day started with the Men's Fours, where Jayden Kyle, Ryan McElroy, Jack Moffett, and Adam McKeown from CAIBC stamped their authority with a commanding 25-16 victory over S Bennett from BIBC. A statement performance that set the tone for the day!
In the Men's Senior Fours, the CAIBC team led by JR Nicholl, James Caldwell, Stephen Moran, and Stephen Coleman Snr finally claimed glory after years of near misses. Their 19-13 win against C Hogg was a testament to persistence and teamwork.
In a nail-biting Ladies Pairs match, Chloe Wilson and Lara Reaney (CAIBC) came so close but ultimately fell short to BCIBC’s S McIntyre, losing 18-17. Despite their quality play and strong chemistry, the game got snatched away from them by the narrowest of margins in a heartbreaker for the CAIBC duo.
CAIBC’s Adam McKeown was back on the green in the Men’s Singles and delivered a spectacular performance against BIBC’s S Kirkwood, winning 21-11 in what was described as an "epic encounter". The scoreline doesn’t reflect just how thrilling this match was, with Adam showcasing incredible precision and focus to take home his second title of the day.
The CAIBC duo of Jayden and Andy Kyle couldn’t replicate their semi-final form in the Mens Pairs, going down 25-14 to the Belfast IBC pair skipped by P Haughey. Despite their best efforts, the young Belfast pair proved too strong on the day.
In the all-CAIBC Ladies Singles final, Shauna O’Neill came out on top against teammate Chloe Wilson, securing a 21-7 win. Shauna’s commanding performance showed her experience and skill, while Chloe put up a valiant effort after the emotional rollercoaster of the Ladies Pairs Final.
The day concluded at Ballybrakes CIBC with the Men's Junior Singles, where Daniel Spratt (BIBC) ended Adam McKeown's gruelling weekend, putting in a fine performance, winning 21-16.
In the final match of the day at Belfast IBC, CAIBC’s team of Chloe Wilson, Ashleigh Rainey, Lara Reaney, and Shauna O’Neill capped off their championship run with an intense 16-15 win over BCIBC’s S McIntyre in the Ladies Fours Final. It was a dramatic end to a long day, with the CAIBC ladies showing grit and determination to edge out the victory in the closest of finishes.
On Tuesday evening, County Antrim IBC will host the all-CAIBC Men’s Triples final as Ryan McElroy, Jack Moffett, and Adam McKeown take on Aaron Coleman, Mitchell Albert, and Stephen Coleman Snr. With the title guaranteed for CAIBC, it promises to be a thrilling match to cap off an incredible championship campaign.
Commiserations also go to our Ladies' Triples team of Chloe Wilson, Lara Reaney & Shauna O'Neill, who fought hard but lost 20-11 in their Ladies Triples Final on Saturday evening against S Bailie (BIBC).
Final tally: CAIBC has claimed 6 out of 11 titles - a phenomenal performance that showcases the club's depth and talent across men's and women's competitions!
Congratulations to all players, officials, and supporters who made these championships such a memorable event!
