Coach stay on course for the Premier title

TO some it may sound overstated to say the A McLean Premier Division title was at stake for this clash between division leaders Coach and third placed Castle Bar.

This was how some people perceived the match but second placed Higgins disagreed with that perception of course and had more than just a passing interest in the result.

As usual for Castle, Greg Harper started in pole position. It seems he was more interested chasing snookers than going for game. His negative choice of tactics backfired badly when up against one of the hottest potters in town, Mucker McMullan made him pay dearly to put Coach ahead.

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A second was added when Stevie Doherty was in inspired form.

The first win for Castle came about when Jason Harper, unflustered about being snookered, swerved the cue ball around his opponents colour to pot his own, from there he ended the game with an excellent finish.

When a chance to level the match in the fourth came about in the shape of a free table Castle’s Paul O’Hagan usually delivers, this time however the opportunity was missed along with the colour. In what would prove to be a turning point in the match Kevin Doherty returned to the table to make the score 3-1.

Another chance for Castle to reduce the deficit in the fifth was also squandered. Cecil Corbett had just received a free table. Had the colours been spaced freely around the table he may well have brought the two sides closer together, instead his colours were clustered around a corner pocket.

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The free table was rendered useless as all he could do was move colours around.

Tom Moore on the other hand was much better placed to go for game, this he did to great effect to increase the home teams lead to 4-1. They were almost over the line but still work to do, and for a time in the sixth it looked as if that line would be crossed.

Not so when a luckless Barry McGeown lost out to a determined Castle captain Gordy Magennis. In the seventh Bill Thompson had the finishing post in sight, unfortunately his colour stayed up.

Phillip Magennis returned to three remaining colours on the table, three shots later it was the blacks turn to disappear.

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With the score now sitting at 4-3 two players arrived at the table for a rather nervy final game. Directing from the sidelines Coach captain Stevie Gartland had held in reserve a player for just such an occasion. His judgement and that of Raymond Lyons was spot on when the Coach player potted a black made all the more difficult as the cue ball was sitting tight on the cushion.

These two vital points keep Coach on track for the title as well as maintaining distance between themselves and the chasing pack.

From gaining their first maximum points in the A McLean Premier Division the other week it seems there’s no stopping Banbridge Legion. They are even managing to score away from home.

They led 2-0 before McGraths levelled through Luigi and D McConville. The home side took the lead when Liam Gribben defeated Sid Kerr.

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Legion rallied with a win for Robbie Baird, 3-3. Seamus McGrath made sure of at least a home point by defeating Anthony Thompson. The pressure was now on the visitors, with a point still obtainable Andrew Magill potted his way to the black ball.

An excellent pot secured yet another valuable point for Legion, so many times this season they lost matches by the odd game, in this second half of the season those players are now winning those games acquiring long overdue points.

The match between Market Bar and Anglers was postponed due to bereavement, the committee wish to extend condolences to the family circle.

The Leader Individual tournament was concluded last night, Monday. A report of the final will be published in due course, the competitors and committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the Leader for sponsoring the event.

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Another tournament about to kick off will be that of the popular Eddie Fearon memorial doubles. Entry forms will be dispatched this week to arrive in time for league matches next Tuesday.

A McLean Bookmakers Premier Division table:

PlydPts

Coach1214

Higgins’1110

Castle Bar A1210

Market Bar A119

Mulholland's128

McGrath's128

Anglers A107

Banbridge Legion 124

Planters 00

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