NO LESS than 13 Irish players will be competing in the Swedish Masters, to be played at Stromstad from January 9-10.
The competition has attracted a record entry of 108 bowlers, including the defending champion West Down's Cecil Dillon.
Current Short Mat Players Tour Order of Merit leader Mark Beattie of Foyle is in the line-up which also includes Donegal's PJ Gallagher. The latter won the SMPT Irish Open at Shaws Bridge last year and with 31 tournament successes to his credit should be a strong contender for honours.
Belgium's Dimitri Payne, ranked world number two, secured his first victory when he won the Ramada Plaza Irish Open at Belfast Indoor Bowls Club in September and seems certain to be in the shake-up. His father Jonathan, one place behind his son in the world rankings, should also be involved in the latter stages of the event.
Meanwhile, the IIBA Junior Inter Zone competition will be played at the Baker on Saturday, January 2. Each zone will be represented by two rinks although a zone with insufficient numbers can team up with a neighbouring zone.
The league will resume on January 7.
RESULTS
Jethro Community Bowlers, Lurgan
Morning session: M Milligan 11 A Magee 15; W Cairns 9 R Hunter 16; A Mulligan 13 W Clinghan 11; T McCartan 14 R Neely 4; C Maguire 9 A Thompson 22; J Taylor 7 G Richardson 20; Afternoon session: W Martin 18 S Garvey 8; I Magennis 12 N Conlon 10; G Bell 11 N GSarvey 13; S White 11 G Devlin 8; J Mackle 14 S Irwin 19; B Boness 9 N Orr 14.
