The Ulster Transport A Team are in the Connected Health sponsored IBA Intermediate Cup Final against Limavady B on Saturday 26th August 2023 at 2pm on the back green of Belmont Bowling Club.

Team Selection

The Ulster Transport A team arrive at the final in excellent form after three wins in a row against Dunbarton B (Cup Semi Final), Ewarts (League, home) and Falls (League, away).

They are a well balanced side with good, solid, combinations at the front and back end that work well together, a mental toughness to stay focused in difficult situations and a level of consistency that provides the best opportunity to achieve the right outcome at the end of any match.

Jim Maxwell is injured, Neal Dodds is unlucky to lose out as Tommy Brown returns and as well as a good group of reserves in the squad, Ulster Transport A are able to field their strongest side for the final.

Player Statistics for the A Team (League and IBA Cup)

The A Team has used a core group of 14 players in 15 (75%) of the 20 NIPGL League and IBA Cup games this season (1 x 15, 1 x 16, 3 x 17, 1 x 18, 2 x 19, 6 x 20) with two more on 13 and the other eight in single figures.

All rinks are now fairly well settled, subject to natural rotation due to holiday, illness/injury or any other reason.

Limavady Bowling Club

Limavady BC is one of the strongest clubs in the NIPBA and their A and B teams are both aiming for a unique League and Cup double this year with the A team in the IBA Senior Cup Final against Bangor on the front green at Belmont while their B team take on Ulster Transport on the back green in the IBA Intermediate Cup Final.

Connected Health are the sponsors of the IBA Cups this year and some of their senior staff visisted Limavady BC this week. 

Limavady President with Connected Health Staff

Pictured left to right: Stephanie McAleese, Regional Manager, Connected Health; Hannah Cochrane, Limavady Bowling Club; Eugene Connor, Registered Manager, Connected Health; Wilfie Moore, President of the Limavady Bowling Club; Nuala Deans, Area Manager, Connected Health; Ross McMullan and Adam Rankin of Limavady Bowling Club.

Pictured below: Connected Health Staff with players from Limavady Bowling Club.

Limavady Players with IBA Cup Sponsors Connected Health

NIPBA League Tables at 25th August 2023

The Limavady A and B teams are top of their leagues and the B team, which won the Division 1 title last year, are favourites for the title again this year and would not look out of place in the Premier Division (probably as a solid mid-table side).

NIPBA Premier and D1 Tables 25th August 2023

Road to the Final and Head to Head

The match is too close to call, both teams are in great form in their respective leagues and had impressive runs in the cup on their way to the final, so it will be down to which team 'turns up', puts in the best performance and keeps their nerve at key points in the game, even if the 'rub of the green' sometimes goes against them.

UTBC A v Limavady B Analysis for 26th August 2023 IBA Cup Final

Video

The match will be covered by two cameras and be available on the Ulster Transport Bowling Club website on Sunday 27th August 2023.

Summary

It will be the toughest match for the Ulster Transport A team so far this season, a battle between two sides in excellent form and a top quality performance will be needed to win the Connected Health sponsored IBA Intermediate Cup Final.