Dunluce open up title race with unexpected win

The visitors took 6 ½ points, opening the door for second placed Marian to close the gap.

This they duely did but the Marian probably feel that with home advantage they could even have done better in their match against St. Colman’s. The Marian and Loughanreagh are now joint leaders each having accumulated 46 ½ points.

Loughanreagh started alright with Alistair Steele getting a draw against Uel McKeeman (Dunluce). Barry Kane (Dunluce) then dug deep to get a 1 shot advantage over Alan Irwin (Loughanreagh). In the second half Rodney Kane (Dunluce) beat Ian Ross (Loughanragh) 10 shots to 7 shots and Alistair Kirkpatrick had the same winning margin in his game with Nigel Gamble (Loughanreagh).

Marian went into the break 10 shots to the good mainly thanks to Jim Martin who defeated David Walker (St. Colman’s) 15 shots to 5 shots. On the other mat Aaron Walker (St. Colman’s) fought back to square his game with Aidan Cassley (Marian) ending up 10 shots apiece.

The Marian increased their lead when Brian McAlary beat Martin McAleese (St. Colman’s) 12 -6 but in the final game Aaron Tennant got a point back for St. Colman’s with a win against William McCaw (Marian).

2nd. Kilrea with a 6-1 win against St. Mary’s have climbed into joint 4th. in the league and although they won’t win the race they could certainly have a bearing on who will win it. It started well for St. Mary’s with David Gaile picking up a point in his 2 shots win over Nicky McCaw (Kilrea). The match was all square at the break when Hugh Paul (Kilrea) beat Seamus Doherty (St. Mary’s) 14 shots to 7 shots. David Paul eased 2nd. Kilrea into the lead with a win against Kevin McNamee (St. Mary’s) and Ivan Smyth got the bonus points for 2nd. Kilrea when he beat Declan McCann (St. Mary’s) by 4 shots.

The basement battle was won by Ballinrees with a comfortable win against a weakened Finvoy Presbyterian.

* Having beaten Castlerock 7-0 last week, Dunloy Presbyterian were hoping to put some pressure on Division 2 leaders Moneydig.

Moneydig however responded to the challenge and although they had to travel to Boveedy, they came away with 6 ½ points to maintain their position at the top of the table.

Dunloy had a very comfortable win against Castlerock, winning all four games. Thomas Paul beat Ronnie Steele (Castlerock) easily but William McCaughern (Dunloy) had to fight for every shot in his win against Jackie Hutchinson (Castlerock). With wins for Mark Shaw and Stephen Dunlop (both Dunloy) against Clive Hutchinson and Victor Callaghan (Castlerock) respectively the overall result was never in doubt.

Boveedy started alright with Andrew Wallace securing a 7-all draw against Brian McFetridge (Moneydig). Willie Knight then eased Moneydig ahead when he beat Alan Catherwood (Boveedy). Torrens McFetridge increased Moneydigs’ progress with a 2 shots win against Doughie Morrow (Boveedy). Trevor Workman (Moneydig) earned the extra points for his side with a win over Ashley McCahon (Boveedy).

Garvagh and District did their chances of avoiding bottom place in the league no harm at all with a good win against Drumreagh. David Workman set them on their way when he beat Raymond Clyde (Drumreagh).

Kenneth McLenaghan made it two nil at half time with a 10 shots to 7 shots win against Andrew Campbell (Drumreagh). Edwin Jackson pulled a game back for the visitors when he beat Mark Gurney (Garvagh) by 4 shots. Geoffery Boyce put the icing on the cake for Garvagh with a 9 shots to 7 shots win against Carson Boyd (Drumreagh).

New Row also had a good win this week against near neighbours 1st. Coleraine. Freddie Monahan got New Row’s first point in a close game with Clifford McLernon (Coleraine) when he held on to win by 2 shots.

John Graham eased New Row further ahead with a win against Bryan Shaw (Coleraine). After the break Mark Callaghan and Jonathan Elder (both New Row), respectively beat John Camac and Jim Campbell (Coleraine) to get all 7 points.