Juniors' Irish Cup reign comes to an end

Rink 1 saw Alan Stewart, Norman Armstrong, Jackie Robinson and Andy Armstrong played R Gough.

The Ballymena rink were dominant during the early stages of the game building up a 9-2 lead after 8 ends. The Dunbarton rink came back to take the lead by 1 after 11 ends.

In the next end, the visitors picked up a count of 6 to take their lead to 15 shots to 10. Armstrong's rink retained their lead until the end of the game to win 21-15.

Rink 2 saw a close encounter with Alistair Coleman, Stephen Coleman, Ivan Lynn and John Coulter played F Larkin. A third of the way through the game, the scores was tied at 7 each.

After 15 ends, the Dunbarton boys were 5 shots ahead by winning 5 ends without reply. Coulter and Larkin's rink exchanged blows but it was Coulter who came out on top by one shot to win 20-19.

On Rink 3 Billy McCandless, Joe McKeown, Nigel McAlease and Roy Torrington were up against it from the start against P Convery, 6 shots down after 4 ends.

Torrington's rink came back to within one shot but the pendulum swung back in Dunbarton's favour as they raced into a 16-5 lead after 13 ends. The home side held their nerve to win 21-12.

Rink 4 saw Alan McAuley, Michael Wilson, Danny McCullough and Jimmy Larkin play J Kelly.

The Dunbarton rink lead from the first end and after 9 ends the score was 11-4 in favour of the home side. The Ballymena foursome fought back to tie the score at 14 each after 15 ends.

Kelly's rink won four of the next five ends to lead 20 17 but a 3 in the final end saw Larkin's men tie the game 20-20.

Tonight (Tuesday) Ballymena Juniors are back in league action when they entertain Knock in the NIPGL Junior Division 1 League.