It’s tight at the summit

St. Mary’s had probably the best chance of catching St. Colman’s but they could only draw against second bottom club Second Kilrea. Five and a half points now separate the top five teams but St. Colman’s have the advantage of having a game in hand.

The Marian entertained Ballinrees and the hosts went home with 6.5 points. James Martin (Marian) had a comfortable 16-6 win over Jonathan Calvin (B’rees). Victor Millen (B’rees) fought out a draw with Terrence McGarry (Marian). William McCaw (Marian) beat Uel Gordon (B’rees) by six shots whilst Brian McAlary (Marian) won 16-3 against William Calvin (B’rees).

Loughanreagh took on Boveedy and won fairly easily against a struggling Boveedy team. Alan Irwin (L’reagh) took on Ronnie Catherwood (B’veedy) and had a six shot win. Ian Ross (L’reagh) added further misery to Boveedy, beating Alan Catherwood 13-6. In the second half Ashley McCahon (B’veedy) pulled a game back when he won 10-8 against Alastair Steele (L’reagh). Edwin Irwin made sure of the overall score for Loughanreagh by beating Mary Graham (B’veedy) by two shots.

Second Kilrea who are languishing close to the bottom of the league gave League contenders, St. Mary’s, a good run for their money with a hard fought draw. It started so well for the visitors when both David Gaile and Jordan Mullen had wins over Brian McGrath and Nicky McCaw (2nd. Kilrea) respectively. Second Kilrea however struck back in the second half. First Margaret Johnston beat Declan McCann (St. Mary’s) 9-7 and then Ivan Smyth (2nd. KIlrea) had a runaway victory over Harold Kelly (St. Mary’s), winning by 10 shots.

In a match brought forward, Dunloy Presbyterian took on Dunluce but it was the visitors who went home the happier. Thomas Paul (Dunloy) played out a 10-10 draw with David Morrison (Dunluce). Alastair Kilpatrick made it 2-0 for Dunluce with a four shot win against Mark Shaw (Dunloy). Stephen Dunlop got a consolation point for Dunloy when he defeated Uel McKeeman (Dunluce), 10-7. Alastair McIntyre restored Dunluces’ lead with a 13-3 win over Joe Campbell (Dunloy).

Finvoy Presbyterian still lead Division 2 but Garvagh and District made them fight for every shot. Ken McLenaghan put the visitors into the lead with a one shot win against Gary McCloy (Finvoy). Geoffery Boyce (Garvagh) added more woe to the home team when he beat Chris Jones (Finvoy) 14-11. It was left to big Joe Moore and young Adam Hunter to ease Finvoy over the winning line when they both won their respective games against David Workman and Peter Reynolds (Garvagh)

Drumreagh had a seven point win against New Row. Carson Boyd put the home team in front by beating Sammy McArthur (New Row) by six shots. Freddie Monaghan (New Row) almost levelled the game but fell short by one shot in his match with Raymond Clyde (D’reagh). It got worse in the second half for the visitors with defeats for Joe Elkin and Jonathan Elder who lost out to Aubrey Walker and Edwin Jackson (both D’reagh) respectively.

First Coleraine had a rare win out in Castlerock and also picked up a very useful 5.5 points. Castlerock started well when Victor Callaghan out played Clifford McLernon (1st. C’raine) winning by six shots. John Weeks (1st. C’raine) squared the match with a 9-7 win over Ronnie Steele (C’rock). Brian Wilson (C’rock) and Jim Campbell (1st. C’raine) could not be separated on eight shots apiece. It was left to John Camac to secure the overall victory for the visitors with an 11-5 win against Jackie Hutchinson (C’rock).

Meanwhile the Northern Zone IIBA finals night will take place in Ballybrakes Stadium on Friday 24th January. Play starts at 7.15pm so come along and see some great bowling. The draw is as follows:

Rinks - R. Kirkpatrick/M. Steen/P. Donnelly/D. Gaile (St. Mary’s) v D. Reilly/A. Davison/A.Irwin/I. Ross (Loughanreagh)

Ladies Triples - M. Campbell/C. Murray/B. O’Neill (St. Colum’s) v B. Watton/S. Campbell/E. Clyde (St. Pat’s)

Open Triples - (N. McMullan/N. Gamble/E. Irwin (Loughanreagh) v S. Young/R. McShane/C. Jones (Finvoy Pres.)

Junior Pairs 1 - G. McLean/G. Mclean v R. Harris/A. Clyde

Junior Pairs 2 - J. Moore/M. Williamson v S. Martin/A. Stratton

Ladies Pairs - G. Law/T. O’Neill (St. Colum’s) v P. Williamson/T. Everett (Burnside)

Junior Singles 1 - G. Kelly (Ballinrees) v Gavin McLean (St. Colum’s)

Junior Singles 2 - Gareth McLean (St. Colum’s) v J. Moore (Ballyrashane)

Over 55’s - B. McIntyre/V. Millen (Ballinrees) v R. Catherwood/D. Morrow (Boveedy)

Open Pairs Section 2 - E. Irwin/N. Gamble (Loughanreagh) v N. Brewster/W. Calvin (Ballinrees)

Ladies Singles - E. McKee (Kelly Memorial) v C. Murray (St. Colum’s)

Open pairs Section 1 - W. Callaghan/J. Kerr (Ballinrees) v G. McConnell/A. Davison (Loughanreagh)

Open Singles – Section 1 - G. Kelly (BCIBC) v N. Gamble (Loughanreagh)

Open Singles – Section 2 - J. Moore (Finvoy Pres.) v D. Gaile (St. Mary’s)

Open Singles – Section 3 - I. Ross (Loughanreagh) v P. Kennedy (Kelly Mem.)