League title race hotting up

The Marian beat near neighbours Second Kilrea and this win put them up into second place in the League, only three points behind Dunluce.

The home team got off to a good start with Margaret Johnston beating James Martin nine shots to six shots. Joe Martin put the visitors on a level footing when his rink outplayed the Nicky McCaw’s four (2nd. Kilrea) to win by 11 shots. William McCaw (Marian), yet to be beaten this year, edged his team in front with a one shot win against Brian McGrath (2nd. Kilrea). Ivan Smyth (2nd. Kilrea), earned his team a second point with a fine victory over Brian McAlary.

Dunluce playing at home had to pull out all the stops to secure a narrow win against Ballinrees. Barry Kane put the home team in front with a 13 shots to six shots win against William Calvin. Uel Gordon (Ballinrees) insured that the teams went in level at half time when he beat Uel McKeeman by one shot. Jonathan Calvin (Ballinrees ) put the visitors in front winning 13 shots to five shots in his game with Alastair McIntyre (Dunluce). In a nail biting finish, Alastair Kilpatrick (Dunluce) secured the overall score for his Club by beating Victor Millen (Ballinrees), 11 shots to seven shots.

Moneydig are really struggling this season. They are usually hard to beat at home, but yet again they gave up home advantage and went down to St. Colman’s. It started off so well for Moneydig with Trevor Workman beating Paul McCook (St. Colman’s) convincingly. David Walker steadied the boat for St. Colman’s when he beat Brian McFetridge 10 shots to five shots. Martin McAleese (St. Colman’s) won against Willie Knight (Moneydig) and Kenny Carson put the icing on the cake for the visitors with a nine shot victory against Alan McAleese (Moneydig).

Who would have suggested at the start of the season that after five matches New Row would be at the top of the Division 2? Well they are there by merit after this great win against Dunloy Presbyterian, in Dunloy’s own hall. Joe Campbell put the home team on the score board with a win against Mark Callaghan (New Row). Freddie Monaghan (New Row) then beat Andrew Sayers (Dunloy), 17 shots to eight shots to level the match. Thomas Paul swung the balance back to Dunloy when he won his game with Sammy McArthur (New Row) by four shots. However Joe Elkin (New Row) beat Mark Shaw (Dunloy) by six shots so it was the visitors who went home with the bonus points.

In the other match in Division 1 St. Mary’ got 5 points against fellow mid-table opponents Boveedy.

Castlerock returned to winning ways in their match with Garvagh and District. Ronnie Steele’s four were too strong for Elizabeth McCafferty’s rink winning 14 shots to eight shots. Victor Callaghan made it 2-0 to the home team by beating David Workman (Garvagh).There was no joy for the visitors in the second half either for Jackie Hutchinson and Brian Wilson, both Castlerock, beat Ken McLenaghan and Geoffrey Boyce respectively.

First Coleraine entertained Drumreagh and it was the home team who scraped through by four shots to win the points. Robert Campbell (1st. Coleraine) beat Sammy Martin (Drumreagh) 11 shots to nine shots. Raymond Clyde (Drumreagh) levelled the match when he beat Bryan Shaw (1st Coleraine) by two shots. Edwin Jackson (Drumreagh) won his game with John Camac (1st. Coleraine) but Colin Hutchinson secured the victory for 1st. Coleraine by beating Carson Boyd 14 shots to five shots.

Finvoy Presbyterian are climbing the League table steadily and this seven pointer against Killowen sees them shoot up to joint second place. Joe Moore (Finvoy) beat David Morrison (Killowen) convincingly and Harry Sweeney (Killowen) did not get much change out of Chris Jones (Finvoy) going down by nine shots. Gary McCloy (Finvoy) piled on the agony for Killowen by beating Sadie Davis. Robert McShane (Finvoy), sealed the visitors’ fate in his game with Robert McClements, winning 14 shots to six shots.