Larne edge it on points in ‘classic’ against Belmont

Saturday’s Private Greens Division One clash between Larne and Belmont turned out to be a classic with the match ending in a draw but the Glenarm Road men edging it on points.
David McRandals rink earned a hard-fought victory over Belmont.David McRandals rink earned a hard-fought victory over Belmont.
David McRandals rink earned a hard-fought victory over Belmont.

With Chris Snoddy out for Larne, Raymond Lyness came into David McRandal’s rink at second, and Jason Kerr came into the team at third to Alan McLean.

Michael Murphy found himself up against it through the opening ends and soon trailed 4-13. A run of five scoring ends brought Murphy’s men back into the game 10-13.

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The visitors won the next two to extend their lead to five, but Murphy’s men upped their game to win another five, and led 18-15 with one to play.

The final end was hotly contested before the Belmont skip played a brilliant bowl to take the shot, leaving Murohy with an excellent 18-16 victory.

Andrew Robinson had a hugely influential game at third to help turn this one around.

McRandal was involved in a high-scoring encounter through the opening ends and found himself 10-17 behind after 10. Lyness was excellent but the opposition were taking their chances time and again.

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McRandal’s team battled hard to get back into the game but still looked in trouble at 18-24 with three to play. An outstanding performance from the home four over these ends saw David claim two, two, three for an unexpected 25-24 success.

McLean’s quartet were involved in a ding-dong tussle with the advantage changing hands regularly. McLean found himself 16-15 ahead with two to play but lost two, four to fall to an agonising 16-21 defeat.

Darren Witherspoon and Stephen Dalrymple played well for much of this game and the result was a little cruel, considering how well the rink performed.

Andy Kyle’s powerhouse rink kept Larne in the game through the first half as they built a 14-7 lead. The visitors fought back ferociously through the latter stages to cut their deficit to one going into the last end. Kyle’s men held their nerve to score a single and win their point 20-18.

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The result meant the game was a draw but Larne claimed the greater share of the points – 4.5 to 2.5 – because they won three of the four rinks. Larne remain second in the league going into the July break.

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