Connolly’s produce faultless display to close gap on leaders

The Dunvale side produced an impressive performance to whitewash Fairhill Hustlers, while Masters also won, but in doing so dropped a point at home to Ballee Rollers.

Fairhill Hustlers 0, Connolly’s ‘B’ 6: Hustlers’ George McCullough took a frame off Pat McAnally but it wasn’t enough to prevent Pat from giving Connolly’s the lead.

Brett McLaughlin doubled that margin in the second game by beating Justin Kilpatrick in straight frames.

That set the tone for the next three games, which were all decided in the same fashion, with Barry McLarnon, Alan Davidson and Conor Connolly winning for Connolly’s without dropping a frame, against Paul Hayes, Ritchie Irwin and Richard Campbell.

And the clean sweep was completed when Dean Dunlop beat Robert Graham by a 2-1 scoreline to complete a perfect night for the Dunvale men.

POM - Barry McLarnon.

Michelin Masters 5, Ballee Rollers 1: Drew Sloan got the Masters off to a good start when he came from a frame down to beat David Calderwood 2-1 and David Calderwood doubled Michelin’s advantage in exactly the same manner after losing the opening frame to Dean Greer.

Ballee reduced the deficit when Aaron Browne defeated Jimmy Knowles in straight frames.

However, Michelin regained the initiative and won the last three games, all by 2-0 scorelines through Rick Mcmaster, Alan Armstrong and Alan Rainey, who defeated Stefan Armstrong, Josh Macrory and Frazer Young respectively.

POM - Aaron Browne.

Ballee Black Ballers 2, Coach Bar 4: David Carlisle got Coach off to a good start with a straight frames win against Craig Young, aided by an eight-ball clearance in the opening frame.

Aaron Irwin doubled the Galgorm Street side’s lead when he, too, won in straight frames, against Paul Smyth.

Black Ballers bounced back with wins from Peter Moore and Neil Weir, who defeated darren Gilmore and David Gillespie, to tie the match score at 2-2.

But just when it seemed the momentum had switched back to the home side, back came Coach as KD Crabbe restored their lead by coming from a frame down to beat Dean Robinson.

And in the final game, Jimmy Gillespie defeated Alastair Law over three frames to wrap up victory for Coach.

POM - David Carlisle.

BUSC 4, Diamond Duffers 2: The Social Club won the opening two games without dropping a frame, through Marc McMullan and Brian Boyd, who beat Kylie Lennox and Tam McMaster.

Eddie Fleck added to BUSC’s lead when he beat Darren McFetridge by a 2-1 scoreline before Diamond pulled one back through Matthew Peacock, who saw off John Fleck.

Dennis Keenan restored BUSC’s three game lead by beating Steven Anderson in straight frames to clinch victory for the home side, while Jason Ogilby earned a second point for Duffers by beating Ross Hill.

Connolly’s ‘A’ 1, Michelin Inbetweeners 5: Scorecard not received at time of going to press.

* The match between Diamond Dazzlers and Fairhill Dreamers was postponed due to bad weather.

LEAGUE QUIZ

A Ballymena Towers Pool League quiz will take place in Michelin Athletic Club on Friday, February 21 (8pm).

Admission is £3 per person with money raised going towards providing new trophies, while some of the proceeds will also go to local charities. Everyone welcome.