Finals night at Broughshane this Saturday

The competition continues to be a popular one, as evidenced by an entry in excess of 200 bowlers from all parts of the Province.

The tournament started on Friday night and one of the first two competitors through to finals night is a man who will need no introduction in bowling circles.

Alan Paul has a formidable record at tournaments in Mid-Antrim and further afield in recent years and the Cookstown High bowler will be in the hunt again this time round after an 18-2 drubbing of Wilbert McCullough in his final.

The other qualifier on Friday night was Malachy Martin, from Duneane, who accounted for Maurice Livingstone (West Church) in the semi-finals and then Alan McLean (Kilwaughter) in the final.

The journey from east Belfast in difficult travelling conditions certainly proved worthwhile for Stephen Sewell on Saturday night.

After knocking out his brother David in the semi-final, Sewell then defeated another bowler from the Ardenlee club, David Burns, in the final.

Two more went through last night (Monday) and another pair of qualifiers will book their finals night spots on each of tonight (Tuesday), Thursday and Friday nights.

An additional night (Wednesday) has been pencilled in to cope with the large entry and one qualifier on that night will take the total to 12 for Saturday night's finals.

FRIDAY

Semi-finals: Maurice Livingstone (West Church) 5, Malachy Martin (Duneane) 8; David McVicker (Duneane) 7, Alan McLean (Kilwaughter) 8. Final: Martin 7, McLean 4.

Semi-finals: Gerard McLarnon (Duneane) 4, Wilbert McCullough (Kilwaughter) 8; James Burns (Kilwaughter) 2, Alan Paul (Cookstown High) 8. Final: McCullough 2, Paul 18.

SATURDAY

Quarter-finals: David Sewell (Ardenlee) 6, Robert Greer (Grange) 5; Glen Wilson (Maghera Pres) 8, Stephen Sewell (Ardenlee) 9; Tony Ward (St Mary's Killyleagh) 9, David Burns (Ardenlee) 12; Darren McCullough (ALBC) 3, Alfie Ross (Ardenlee) 13.

Semi-finals: D Sewell 6, S Sewell 6; Burns 7, Ross, 6.

Final: Sewell 11, Burns 5.