Zone ladies make winning start to glory bid

A tough game had been anticipated against a side who were recent finalists but Mid-Antrim dominated the match, winning on five of the six rinks and drawing on the other for a 76-41 overall scoreline.

Rink 1 saw B McKnight, M Johnston , S Smith and A Bacon in opposition to J Copes.

Mid-Antrim started well with a 3 on the first end only for the visitors to record a 2 and a 3.

A single and a '2' saw the Mid Antrim rink take the lead before the visitors recorded a 2. A 3 and a 2 aginst a pair of singles over the last four ends saw the Mid Antrim rink record a 11-9 win

Rink 2 saw P Peacock, S Kleinmann, H Maybin and J Wilson in opposition to A McElnea.

The visitors started with a single before the Mid Antrim rink took control with six shots over the next three ends.

A pair of singles for the visitors closed the gap before a single and a pair of 3s saw the Mid Antrim rink further extend their lead. A 2 for the visitors left the final rink score as 13-5

J Mullan, M Wilson, S Lynn and H Lynn took on T Bell on rink three.

The Mid Down rink started well with a pair of singles before the Mid-Antrim rink took control of the game.

A 2,1,5 and a 2 saw the Mid Antrim rink open a large lead. A 3 for the visitors closed the gap only for the Mid-Antrim rink to record a 3 a4 and a 2 to leave the final rink score as 19-5. This gave Mid Antrim a 43-19 lead at half time.

Play got under way in the second half with M Turtle, K McKelvey, L Stewart and A Agnew in opposition to C Tumelty.

The visitors started well to take a 0-3 lead after 2 ends. A 4 for the home rink was answered by a 3 for the visitors. both sides recorded singles either side of an end with no score.

Another single for the Mid Down rink was followed by the home rink recording a 5 and a single on the last 2 ends to leave the final rink score as 11-8.

Rink 5 saw W Adair, M Kilpatrick, S Harper and I Adams up against P Rice.

The Mid Antrim rink always had control in this game without ever recording the big scores that their play deserved.

A single for the Mid Down rink was their only glimmer of light as the Mid Antrim rink won 7 of the first 8 ends to lead 10-1. A 2 for the visitors was followed by a single for the home rink that left the final rink score 11-3.

Rink 6 saw I McCullough, Y Hall, J Green and R Morrison in opposition to E McKinley.

Mid Antrim started well in this game as they took a 5-2 lead after three ends.

The Mid Down rink then controlled the middle part of the game as they won the next 4 ends to open a 5-11 lead. This only served to fire up the Mid Antrim rink who played the last three ends very well to record a pair of 3s and an end with no score to leave the final rink score as 11-11.

This meant a comfortable win for the Mid Antrim team who will now face a trip to Dromore in the next round to face West Down on the last Saturday in November.

MEN

This Saturday it's the turn of the Mid-Antrim men to open their inter-zone campaign when they host North Belfast at Killymurris Glarryford (2pm) with the following team selected:

Rink one: T Litho (Michelin), C Scott (Muckamore CC), W Morrison (First Ahoghill); D Morrison (First Ahoghill).

Rink two: A Millar (Second Broughshane), A Bonnar (BUSC), W Caldwell (Michelin), G Lithco (BUSC).

Rink three: T McAlonan (BPFA), J McWhirter (Killymurris Glarryford), G Wilson (Michelin), R Fleming (BUSC).

Rink four: D McCullough (ALBC), J Millar (BUSC), I Craig (BOFA), A Morrison (First Ahoghill).

Rink five: M Wilson (Michelin), W Fullerton (Old Bleach), N Booth (Old Bleach), S Hall (Second Donegore).

Rink six: J Gaston (First Broughshane), M Martin (BUSC), B Trimble (Old Bleach), B Magrath (BUSC).

Reserves: S Dunlop (Killymurris Glarryford), A Matchett (Old Bleach), R Hosseini (Killymurris Glarryford), A Bell (BUSC).

FEES

All clubs are reminded that IIBA and Zone fees are now overdue.

Fees for the zone can be paid to Graham Wilson or Robert McCullough while the IIBA fees can be sent direct to W Crawford or again to Robert McCullough.