Masters set Connolly’s daunting points target in pool league title race

Last week saw the final round of scheduled fixtures played, leaving only rearranged games to be decided.

Connolly’s have three outstanding games to play, while Masters will complete their programme with a trip to Fairhill Hustlers.

If they were to take a maximum of six points from their visit to Ahoghill, they would complete their campaign with 105 points.

That would mean Connolly’s would have to take 17 points out of a possible 18 - from games against Ballee Rollers, club-mates Connolly’s A and Diamond Dazzlers - in order to squeeze home.

In the event of the two teams finishing level on points, a play-off match would most probably decide the destination of the title.

Results from last week’s games were:

Connolly’s A 2, Michelin Masters 4: Drew Sloan got Masters off to a good start with a straight frames win over Kevin Scullion, helped by an eight-ball clearance in frame one.

Jimmy Knowles doubled the lead when he beat Pat McAnally by a 2-1 scoreline but Connolly’s pulled one back with a win from Sean Donnelly who defeated David Armstrong by a 2-1 scoreline.

Rick McMaster restored Masters’ two game difference when he beat Johnny Walker in straight frames.

Keiran Butler pulled another game back for Connolly’s when he beat Alan Rainey by a 2-1 scoreline but Alan Armstrong secured a crucial fourth point for Masters when he beat Joe McNally by a 2-1 scoreline. POM - Sean Donnelly.

Michelin Inbetweeners 2, Connolly’s B 4: Brett McLaughlin put the champions ahead when he beat Finton Long in straight frames but Dessie Cooper levelled the match when he came from a frame down to beat Ryan Foster .

Connolly’s took the lead again through Pat McAnally who lost the first frame but came back to win 2-1 against Gareth Rowe. Lee Wright levelled the match once again when he beat Alan Davidson in straight frames.

Owen Butler nudged Connolly’s ahead for a third time by beating Ryan Logan and this titme the Dunvale side didn’t let the lead slip as Dee Erwin defeated Phil Houston in straight frames to secure a fourth point. POM - Lee Wright.

Ballee Black Ballers 4, BUSC 2: Peter Moore got the home off to a good start when he defeated John Fleck in straight frames.

Jimmy Barr lost the first frame but fought back to win 2-1 against Eddie Fleck and he did so without potting a black ball.

Ross Hill pulled one back for BUSC When he defeated Paul Smyth by a 2-0 scoreline but Neil Weir restored the two game difference when he defeated Dennis Keenan aby the same margin.

BUSC pulled another game back when Marc McMullan had a straight frames win over Dean Robinson but they were denied a draw Allister Law defeated Brian Boyd by a 2-1 scoreline to clinh a win for Ballee. POM - Neil Weir.

Fairhill Dreamers 3, Diamond Duffers 3: Kenny Allen put Dreamers ahead when he beat Chris Nicholl in straight frames and Sean Brannigan doubled the score when he beat Darren McFetridge in the same manner.

Bottom side Duffers stormed back to win the next three games, all in straight frames, through Matthew Peacock, Steven Douglas and Jason Olgilvy but Gareth Montgomery rescued a draw for Fairhill when he defeated Steven Anderson in three frames. POM - Steven Douglas.

Coach Bar 2, Ballee Rollers 4: Dean Greer put Rollers ahead when he beat David Gillespie by a 2-1 scoreline after losing the first frame but Paul Gray levelled the match by beating Stefan Armstrong.

Rollers restored the lead when Aaron Browne beat David Carlisle by a 2-1 scoreline and they went further in front when Shane Hillis beat Aaron Irwin in straight frames.

Raymond Lynn pulled a game back for the Coach when he defeated David Calderwood and in the final game, KD Crabbe won the first frame against Frazer Young who won the next two to wrap up victory for Ballee.

Other results: Diamond Dazzlers 2, Fairhill Hustlers 4: Connolly’s ‘A’ 4, Ballee Rollers 2.

TABLE

Michelin Masters, played 21, points 99; Connolly’s B 19-89; Michelin Inbetweeners 22-85; Diamond Dazzlers 20-76; Fairhill Hustlers 20-76; Coach Bar 21-67; Ballee Rollers 21-52; Ballee Black Ballers 21-51; Connolly’s A 21-51; Fairhill Dreamers 21-40; BUSC 21-35; Diamond Duffers 22-29.

SYMPATHY

The League and Committee of the Ballymena League offers sincere condolences to the family and friends of Michael Rowan who passed away on April 5.

NOTES

* A reminder to all teams that the Top 6 Competition will be held on Tuesday 29th April in Michelin Social club at 8pm. The bottom 6 competition will be held on Tuesday 29th April in Connolly’s Bar at 8pm.

* All numbers for annual prize giving and dinner should be given to the League Treasurer Gary Richardson ASAP. The dinner will be held on Friday 2nd May at 7-30pm in Michelin Social Club tickets are £15.

* All trophies won from last year be returned immediately to the League treasurer.