All-Broughshane final remains a possibility in League Cup

An all-Broughshane Playing Fields Association League Cup final remains a possibility as the competition reached the semi-final stage last week.
A moment if contemplation for Portgelnone Community Centre bowkers during their League Plate tie at BIBC. INBT 04-801HA moment if contemplation for Portgelnone Community Centre bowkers during their League Plate tie at BIBC. INBT 04-801H
A moment if contemplation for Portgelnone Community Centre bowkers during their League Plate tie at BIBC. INBT 04-801H

Both teams reached the last four of the competition and have avoided each other in the semi-final draw.

BPFA ‘A’ lost the home leg of their quarter-final clash with Michelin but advanced on aggregate thanks to their stunning first leg win at Michelin before Christmas.

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As befitting a team that have won the trophy for the past five years, Michelin made a brave attempt at holding onto their crown but it was always likely to be an uphill struggle after a 31-shot defeat in the first leg.

Portglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802HPortglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802H
Portglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802H

Grant Robinson’s rink were in fine form against Ivan Craig and despite the Broughshane rink scoring a ‘3’ on the eighth end, Robinson’s rink finished strongly and counts of 4 and 3 saw them claim an excellent 14-4 victory.

Wesley Caldwell’s rink trailed in the early stage against Alan Cahoon but dominated the latter stages when they scored 3 scores of 2 shots to run out winners by 13 shots to 9.

In the second half, Graham Wilson’s Michelin rink led William Morrison by a shot with three ends to play but the Broughshane rink won all the remaining ends to win 10-6.

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The rinks skipped by Matthew Boyd and David Morrison produced a tight contest which was eventually settled in BPFA’s favour by a single shot margin.

Portglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802HPortglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802H
Portglenone bowler Kevin O'Kane delivers a wood for the Bannsiders. INBT 04-802H

BPFA ‘A’ now face Golf Club who, after a big first leg lead, eased into the last four at the expense of Eaton Park.

The third division rugby club side gave a very good account of themselves in the second instalment, winning both first half games through Bonar Hill and George Reid.

But Golf Club held the upper hand after the break and wins from the rinks guided by Sean McGarry and David McCullough steered them safely through.

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Another side who had done the hard work in the first leg were BPFA ‘B’ and a 35-35 tie with Harryville Community Centre meant the Knockan Road side finished the evening with same 19-shot advantage as they had started with.

Four exceptionally close match-ups produced two tied games, with David Wilkinson and Adi Davison unable to be separated in their tussle, while the same outcome occurred in the match between Joe Patterson and David Calderwood.

The other two games were both decided by one-shot margins, with M Allen winning for Harryville and James Wasson victorious for Broughshane.

They now take on Portglenone Community Centre who beat first division BIBC in a game where Portglenone’s 10 shots on handicap in each leg proved pivotal, as they won by 18 shots overall.

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BIBC made a good fist of reducing the first leg arrears in the first half with wins from Stephen Shields and Catherine McCrossan, but they weren’t able to make any further inroads after the break with Roy Torrington’s two-shot win cancelled out by Gary Merron’s win by the same score for the Bannsiders.

LEAGUE PLATE

Last week also saw the opening round of the subsidiary competition for teams eliminated in the early rounds of the League Cup.

First Ballymena got the better of Glenravel by one shot (35-34) after narrow wins from Lyle McQuitty, David McQuitty and Roland Woods meant that Martin McKeegan’s win for the Martinstown side meant they came up just short.

Moneyglass took their impressive league form into the Plate with a 16-shot win at West Church, thanks to rink wins from Sean McNeilly, Henry Marron and Tommy Magee, after Victor Mahon’s rink had given the church side early hope.

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Another all-third division tie saw All Saints eliminate Services ‘B’ by four shots. Eugene McReynolds and Anthony Mitchell’s rinks won for Saints, while Nicholas Mitchell’s match with John Smith ended all square. Eric Smyth’s rink won for Services.

In the other game, Old Bleach proved too strong for third division Round Tower, winning 59-42, with rink wins from Nigel McNally, Neil Booth, Johnny Millar and Mervyn McDonald.

BPFA TOURNAMENT

Broughshane PFA indoor Bowling Club are again holding their annual licensed bowling tournament in the Community Centre from Monday 1st February to Friday 5th February 2016 with finals night on Saturday 6th February.

Entries can be made via the tournaments Facebook page or by contacting the tournament secretary, Richard Rodgers on 07704086574. (No Sunday calls please). The tournament will again raise funds for Macmillan cancer charity.

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