With all results now in before the Christmas break, things are taking shape in the leagues. In Fane Valley Div 1 Armagh GC occupy top spot holding a 2½ point advantage over St. Anthony's. Both have played 9 games, but St. Saviour's are lurking in 3rd spot only ½ point behind St. Anthony's and 3 behind Armagh GC with a game in hand. There's then a large gap of 9 points to 4th placed Markethill, so at the minute it looks like the title will be fought out between the top 3.
St Matthew's end 2008 in a very uncustomary bottom place in the table. They trail Mullavilly and Queen Street by 4 and 5 points respectively, but have a game in hand on both. It's hard to imagine St Matthew's not pulling away from the relegation zone given the players they have, but it's point's that matter. January will be an important month for them as they host both Mullavilly and Queen Street. Queen Street will be hoping for better fortunes in 2009 as they have not won a league match since their opening fixture against St. Matthew's in September.
Division 2 seems to be a 2 horse race between unbeaten Drumgor and Portadown GC, and it's hard to see any other team getting promoted. The only question is who will win the division. By virtue of their unbeaten record Drumgor currently occupy top spot, 2½ points clear of Portadown GC who have lost 1 game. However, these sides have to play each other twice before the end of the season.
The Churches League appears to be done and dusted with Cranagill unsurprisingly running away it.
Interzone wise the year has ended on a high with both the Ladies and Mens teams still going strong in the main competition. The next games are on 3 Jan for the Ladies against Oriel and 10 Jan for the men against Mid Tyrone. The Junior Zone team are also in action in a round robin event in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan on Sat 27 December.
The Zone Championships come to a conclusion in St. Matthew's hall on Monday 29 December while the National Championships finals are in Waringstown on Fri 2 January.
Happy Christmas to bowlers everywhere and a prosperous 2009.
