BIBC ‘A’ continue to put pressure of leading duo in title race

Suggestions that the battle for the Ballymena & District League title is a two-horse race may yet prove to be somewhat premature.
Harryville's Margaret Ramsey in action in last week's league game at Services Club. INBT 09-173CSHarryville's Margaret Ramsey in action in last week's league game at Services Club. INBT 09-173CS
Harryville's Margaret Ramsey in action in last week's league game at Services Club. INBT 09-173CS

Certainly BPFA ‘A’ and Michelin - the pacesetters for most of the season - won’t rule out the challenge of BIBC ‘A’, currently the first division’s ‘form’ team.

Since losing their opening league game of the season, the former Social Club team have now reeled off 10 successive league victories, the latest of them coming with a whitewash of Clough Rangers, whose own form has gone in an entirely different direction in recent weeks.

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BIBC ‘A’ were simply too strong for their opponents across all four rinks, with the visitors claiming full points through Andy Bonnar, James Gaston, Adam Hunter and Bryan Magrath in a 35-shot success.

Michelin remain out in front, though, after taking four-and-a half points from Old Bleach, whose only half-point came from Nigel McNally against Wesley Caldwell, whose team-mates Mark McCullough, Matthew Boyd and Graham Wilson all won.

BPFA ‘A’ also continue to show that they won’t give up their title without a fight, as they claimed four-and-a-half points from their trip to relegation-threatened BIBC.

Ivan Craig, Andy Morrison and Alan Cahoon all won their games for Broughshane, while ‘BI’s only consolation came from half a point from Nigel Robinson against William Morrison.

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In the other game, Golf Club took four points from their trip to JTI with the second half rinks skipped by Sean McGarry and Johnny Lynn in particularly impressive form.

Clough Rangers 17 (0), BIBC ‘A’ 52 (5): A Armstrong 5, A Bonnar 10; J Gilchrist 3, J Gaston 17; R Aitcheson 3, A Hunter 13; W Patton 6, B Magrath 12.

BIBC 22 (0.5), BPFA ‘A’ 43 (4.5): R Torrington 5, I Craig 12; J Coulter 4, A Morrison 13; D Torrington 6, A Cahoon 11; N Robinson 7, W Morrison 7.

JTI 29 (1), Golf Club 57 (4): B Lynn 7, D McCullough 12; T Rock 13, J Jamieson 9; G Maybin 7, S McGarry 20; B Russell 2, J Lynn 16.

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Old Bleach 25 (0.5), Michelin 53 (4.5): N McNally 9, W Caldwell 9; W Fullerton 5, M McCullough 16; M McDonald 7, M Boyd 12; W Scott 4, G Wilson 16.

DIVISION TWO

Portglenone Community Centre continued their seemingly relentless surge towards the Division Two title with another win, this time against Golf Seniors.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Bannsiders as George McCrea claimed a win for the golfers, while Donald Smyth shared the points with Joe McErlean.

But on the two rinks which Portglenone won, they did so in some style with Gerry McLarnon and Eamon Cassley winning by 26 shots overall in their games against Ivan McMaster and Ian Lecky.

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Portglenone now have a seven-and-a-half point advantage - with a game less played - at the top of the table after nearest challengers Services ‘A’ fell to defeat at Moneyglass.

Brendan McCusker and Henry Graham won their games for ‘MG’ who have failed to live up to their pre-season billing as likely promotion contenders but they remain a difficult team to beat, particularly on their own mats.

B Stewart was Services’ only winner, although they also claimed a further half-point after Bill Kitson shared the spoils with Tommy Magee in a high-scoring 13-13 draw.

That defeat allowed Broughshane Playing Fields Association ‘B’ to close the gap and with two games in hand over Services, they look favourites to claim runners-up position behind runaway leaders Portglenone.

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But they were made to sweat before claiming three-and-a-half points from their trip to struggling Antrim Indoor Bowling Club by the slender margin of one shot.

It wasn’t looking promising for Broughshane at the break, as they trailed by three shots after Robert McCullough’s win over David Kernohan, while Darren McCullough had also had a 10-10 stalemate with namesake Herbie McCullough.

But Broughshane regained their composure in the second half with Drew Rea winning by two shots, while Noel Graham completed the comeback by beating Tom Evans by the same margin.

The one-and-a-half points were enough to keep Antrim off the bottom of the table, with Harryville Community Centre continuing to prop up the table after losing to Services ‘B’.

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The Trostan Avenue side were 18 shots ‘up’ by the tea break after wins from Greta Coulter and Eric Smyth.

Joe Patterson gave Harryville a glimmer of hope but Sheila Smith ensured a four point haul for Services by beating Stewart Wilson.

Antrim IBC 38 (1.5), BPFA ‘B’ 39 (3.5): D McCullough 10, H McCullough 10; R McCullough 13, D Kernohan 10; A Rainey 9, D Rea 11; T Evans 6, N Graham 8.

Portglenone CC 53 (3.5), Golf Seniors 29 (1.5): G McLarnon 20, I McMaster 5; J Gaul 11, G McCrea 13; J McErlean 6, D Smyth 6; E Cassley 16, I Lecky 5.

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Services ‘B’ 49 (4), Harryville CC 24 (1): G Coulter 11, N Worthington 7; E Smyth 16, B McBride 2; R Dickson 8, J Patterson 11; S Smith 14, S Wilson 4.

Moneyglass 40 (3.5), Services ‘A’ 36 (1.5): B McCusker 9, J Stevenson 4; S McNeilly 8, B Stewart 11; T Magee 13, B Kitson 13; H Graham 10, M Shaw 8.

DIVISION THREE

The destination of the third division title may become a bit clearer this week when title contenders Maine and All Saints meet.

The Randalstown side will go into the showdown with a one-point lead after taking four points from a home meeting against West Church. Pat Reeves, Brian Kerr and Pat Kerr won for Maine, while Davy Aicken claimed West Church’s lone point.

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Elsewhere this week there was sadness for Maine with the passing of their highly respected player and long-time club secretary Matt O’Neill and the sympathy of everyone associated with the league is extended to Matt’s family circle.

All Saints, too, scored four points from their trip to First Ballymena.

Anthony Mitchell, Eugene McReynolds and Paddy Martin won for Saints, who are in a good run of form at the ‘business end’ of the season.

Jim Lilley claimed ‘First’s only point.

First Ballymena 26 (1), All Saints 41 (4): R Woods 6, A Mitchell 15; J Lilley 10, S Haveron 6; L McQuillan 4, E McReynolds 12; D McQuitty 6, P Martin 8.

Maine 54 (4), West Church 27 (1): P Reeves 16, J Rainey 5; L McQuillan 8, D Aicken 9; B Kerr 20, R Wilson 6; P Kerr 10, T Wilson 7.