Gould takes first big title of the year

ANTHONY GOULD finished with two exceptional bowls to take the first big championship of 2011 when he beat David Hubbard in the last shot of their Munster Premier Intermediate tie at Ballinacurra, Upton on Sunday.

He got the better of the opening shots by 50m after Hubbard’s opener hit a fence post. He was just short of Brinny cross in two more where his lead was back to two metres. They both made light at Foley’s in two more where Gould still had a 20m lead. They were just short of Perrott’s in two more with Gould still ahead.

Hubbard played a great bowl past Perrott’s. Gould’s reply looked good too, but it veered right and missed the tip by 40m to give Hubbard his first lead. He held that lead past the GAA field. Gould then got a poor shot to the bridge. Hubbard replied with a perfect bowl across the bridge which Gould beat by just 20m to leave almost a bowl between them. Hubbard pushed hard to raise the bowl in the shots onto the straight, but Gould refused to concede it.