Champions Cookstown crash to shock defeat

REIGNING champions, Cookstown, crashed to an unaccustomed defeat in the Northern Ireland Bowling Association's 'Progressive Building Society' senior division at Brookgreeen on Saturday.

The County Tyrone boys were beaten 83-74, picking up only one point for their efforts.

It was certainly a shock to the system for a club the tasted defeat on only one occasion in last season’s campaign.

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However, Cookstown are still feeling the draught following the exit of three influential players in the form of Alan Paul, Jackie Smyth and Alistair Davidson.

“It was a disappointing result,” admitted Cookstown’s Colin Hogg. “We lost three players, who will be difficult to replace.

“But credit to Brookgreen. They are difficult to beat on their home green. They got off to a great start and, even though we reduced their lead to two shots with only a few ends remaining, we couldn’t keep it going.”

It was Hogg who earned the visitors their only point following a 24-14 win over the rink skipped by Maurice McCullagh.

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But Ian Ross inspired Brookgreen with a superb 29-16 victory against Mark Wilson. Brian Lindsay beat Liam McHugh 20-15, while David Gaile finished the joy with a 20-19 result over Tommy McAleavey.

“It will take a big effort to retain the title,” admitted Hogg.

“Basically, we cannot use our B team players regularly because that would make them ineligible for the IBA and PBA junior cups.

“So it’s a juggling act. Ballymoney and Portrush have strengthened their squad this season which will make them difficult to beat.

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“We have Ballymoney at home next week, which will be a big test.”

Ballymoney and Portrush clashed at the weekend with the home team sneaking four-and-a-half points in a game that finished all square (80-80).

Ireland international Ian McClure was Portrush’s top performer, scoring a 30-8 victory over Alan Paul.

But Ballymoney responded through Gary Kelly, who defeated Kevin O’Neill 25-25. Willie McCaw beat Gary McCloy 24-15, while Nicky McCaw defeated Jackie Smyth 23-15.

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There was more disappointment for Coleraine as they went down by two shots at Dunluce. The hosts picked up six points after winning three of the four rinks.

Rodney Kane got them off and running with a 12-shot win over Richard McDermott, before the McKeeman Brother, Uel and Mervyn, clashed. Uel holding on to win another point for Dunluce thanks to his two shot win.

Brian Smyth edged past Victor Dallas by a single shot before Jonathon Calvin secured a point for the visitors with an excellent 13-shot win over Barry Kane.

In the remaining game City of Derry left Portglenone with four points thanks to their one shot win in another close encounter.

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In Division One Ballymoney B saw off Limavady by 19-shots to pick up five points.

David Walker beat Keith Lowry by 13 and Tommy Smith had an excellent 17-shot win over Wilfie Morre to put the hosts in command.

Limavady hit back after the break as Sam Corscadden beat Archie Scott by four shots and Gerald Lowry had an excellent 18-shot win over Robert McBride.

Brooke Park picked up their first win of the season thanks to their 55-shot victory over Ballycastle.

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Ken McConomy, Andy Hagan and Michael Fahy all won their rinks to seal an excellent performance before N McNeill pulled a consolation point back for the visitors.

Cookstown B also picked up six points thanks to their 30-shot away win over Magherafelt.

In Division TwoColeraine B suffered an eight shot defeat at City of Derry. The home side won three rinks thanks to Bertie Lyttle, John Kinkaid and L Baldrick, before Willie Calvin pulled a point back for Coleraine.

Brookgreen B picked up all six points in their 38-shot home win over Portrush B.