Scotland v Ireland Para Test Match - Day One Report

Scotland’s para team made their mark on the first day of their test match against Ireland by winning all three sessions of play at Grove Bowling Club in Belfast.

Session One

Scotland made a strong start to the event as they recorded five wins from six matches to claim a 10-2 victory.

In the Physically Disabled Singles, the spoils were shared with one win and one defeat apiece. Mark Fleming made an impressive start to his campaign and overcame Tom Evans 21-6. Unfortunately, Danny Porter failed to replicate this result and suffered Scotland’s only defeat of the first session 9-21 to the talented Paul Smyth.

Ross Noble hit the ground running in the Visually Impaired Singles and delivered an excellent display to dispatch of Michael Reid 21-1.

The Scots rounded off the first session by clinching a hat-trick of wins in the Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples. Laura Cluxton, Andrew Fleming & Stuart Stevens got the better of Joe Bourke, Denis McMacken & Keith Tinney 23-7. John Wardrope, Gareth Marshall & Lee Mitchell saw off the challenge of Paul Fisher, Billy Finnigan & Mark Cairns 18-5. Finally, Billy Allan, Mary Stevenson & Garry Brown secured a 19-7 victory against Shane Barker, Mark Glass & Brian Smyth.

Session One Scores:

• Physically Disabled Singles – Danny Porter lost to Paul Smyth 9-21
• Physically Disabled Singles – Mark Fleming beat Tom Evans 21-6
• Visually Impaired Singles – Ross Noble beat Michael Reid 21-1
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – Laura Cluxton, Andrew Fleming & Stuart Stevens beat Joe Bourke, Denis McMacken & Keith Tinney 23-7
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – John Wardrope, Gareth Marshall & Lee Mitchell beat Paul Fisher, Billy Finnigan & Mark Cairns 18-5
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – Billy Allan, Mary Stevenson & Garry Brown beat Shane Barker, Mark Glass & Brian Smyth 19-7

SCOTLAND 10 – IRELAND 2

Session Two

Scotland continued their fine form in the second session of the day as they notched up four victories, one draw and one defeat to clinch a 9-3 win.

In the Physically Disabled Pairs, the Scottish team managed to secure three wins from their four encounters. Mark Fleming & Lee Mitchell got the better of Francis Bell & Denis McMacken 19-8. Danny Porter & Garry Brown overcame Glenn Kaufmann & Brian Smyth 13-12 in a high-quality encounter. John Wardrope & Andrew Fleming fought hard to beat Conor McCann & Tom Evans 15-7. Mary Wilson and Stuart Stevens sadly came up short against Chris McCombe and Paul Smyth and lost out 7-17.

Scotland were undefeated across the two Visually Impaired Pairs matches that took place. Daniel Meikle & Ross Noble gelled well together and saw off the challenge of Peter Cullinan & Liz Thompson 20-9. Laura Cluxton & Gareth Marshall shared the spoils against Linda Walsh & Michael Reid as they drew 9-9 with the Irish duo.

Session Two Scores:

• Physically Disabled Pairs – Danny Porter & Garry Brown beat Glenn Kaufmann & Brian Smyth 13-12
• Physically Disabled Pairs – Mary Wilson & Stuart Stevens lost to Chris McCombe & Paul Smyth 7-17
• Physically Disabled Pairs – Mark Fleming & Lee Mitchell beat Francis Bell & Denis McMacken 19-8
• Physically Disabled Pairs – John Wardrope & Andrew Fleming beat Conor McCann & Tom Evans 15-7
• Visually Impaired Pairs – Laura Cluxton & Gareth Marshall drew against Linda Walsh & Michael Reid 9-9
• Visually Impaired Pairs – Daniel Meikle & Ross Noble beat Peter Cullinan & Liz Thompson 20-9

SCOTLAND 9 – IRELAND 3

Session Three

Scotland rounded off the first day of their test match against Ireland by securing four wins from their six contests to boast an 8-4 victory.

Honours were even in the Physically Disabled Singles with both nations taking home a win each. Garry Brown recorded his third victory of the day when he saw off Mark Cairns 21-15. Meanwhile, Billy Allan lost out to the in-form Brian Smyth 7-21.

Mary Stevenson also suffered defeat in the Visually Impaired Singles 5-21 as she struggled to make her mark against Mark Glass.

In the Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples, the Scottish team maintained their 100% record by claiming another three wins. Mary Wilson, John Wardrope & Ross Noble led from the off and overcome Paul Fisher, Billy Finnigan & Keith Tinney 24-5. Daniel Meikle, Mark Fleming & Lee Mitchell were equally impressive in their victory 25-5 victory over Shane Barker, Linda Walsh & Tom Evans. The trio off Andrew Fleming, Gareth Marshall & Stuart Stevens ticked off another win for Scotland when they defeated Lisa Royle, Glenn Kaufmann & Paul Smyth 22-6.

Session Three Scores:

• Physically Disabled Singles – Garry Brown beat Mark Cairns 21-15
• Physically Disabled Singles – Billy Allan lost to Brian Smyth 7-21
• Visually Impaired Singles – Mary Stevenson lost to Mark Glass 21-5
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – Mary Wilson, John Wardrope & Ross Noble beat Paul Fisher, Billy Finnigan & Keith Tinney 24-5
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – Daniel Meikle, Mark Fleming & Lee Mitchell beat Shane Barker, Linda Walsh & Tom Evans 25-5
• Physically Disabled/Visually Impaired Triples – Andrew Fleming, Gareth Marshall & Stuart Stevens beat Lisa Royle, Glenn Kaufmann & Paul Smyth 22-6

SCOTLAND 8 – IRELAND 4

One final session of play will be completed tomorrow morning. A report and scores from these games will be provided on Tuesday afternoon.