Mid-Antrim qualifiers for national finals now known

THE qualifiers for the Mid Antrim zone in the Stonebridge sponsored national championships were held during the last week with many events being held at the Baker stadium.

The ladies’ triples saw H Lynn (Cuningham Mem) facing W Adair (2nd Donegore) in the first semi final and it was the Donegore triple that emerged succsessful.

In the final they faced L McCombe (BPFA) who had defeated H Maybin (1st Ahoghill) to reach this stage. After a close contest it was the greater experience of the triple of J Green, Y Hall and W Adair that qualified to represent Mid Antrim in the national finals.

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The ladies’ pairs saw a number of close contests. in the first semi final H Maybin faced J McClintock ( BPFA) and it was the Ahoghill pair that qualified. in the bottom half of the draw H Lynn face M Neeson ( ALBC ) with H Lynn emerging the winner.

The final was another close contest with the pair of J Mullan and H Lynn eventually getting over the winning line.

The ladies’ singles had a large number of previous winners and a tight competition was expected. The top half of the draw saw W Adair facing H Maybin and after a tight contest it was H Maybin who reached the final.

In the bottom of the draw, M Tait (Old Bleach) reached the semi final where she face H Lynn where it was the Cuningham player who qualified for another final. After their second final of the week it was H Lynn who proved successful to qualify for the national in a second event.

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The open singles had two sections this year and in section A, S Hall ( 2nd Donegore) reached the semi-final where he faced N Graham (2nd Broughshane). a close contest eventually saw the Donegore man emerge as the winner.

In the final he faced M McCullough (Killymurris Glarryford) who had defeated G Maybin (1st Ahoghill) in the semi final. Hall dominated the final to qualify in section A.

Section B was dominated by players from Broughshane with D Turtle and A McCombe (both BPFA) meeting in the first semi-final.

In a close contest it was D Turtle who reached the final of the section. In the Bottom half of the draw M Craig (BPFA) face J Gaston (BUSC) with the social club player qualifying. The final saw a high standard of play and eventually J Gaston was to emerge as the winner.

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The Open rinks was the first event in the competition schedule and also featured the defending Irish Champions. The first semi final saw the champions being dethroned with R Fleming ( BUSC) recording a win against D Morrison (1st Ahoghill).

The bottom half of the draw saw G Wilson ( Michelin) facing T Rock ( Cullybackey Meth) with the Wilson family rink emerging victorius. The final turned out to be a one sided contest with the BUSC rink of A Bonnar, J Millar, G Lithco and R Fleming qualifying to represent Mid Antrim.

The open triples was held on thee same day as the singles which made for a long day for some of the competiors. In the top half of the draw D McCullough ALBC) face S Hall (2nd Donegore) with the donegore rink dominating the contest to reach the final.

The other half of the draw saw S Dunlop (K Glarryford) In Opposition to G Wilson (Michelin) and it was the Glarryford rink who emerged victorius. In the final the Donegore triple of J Green, J Smyth and S Hall would eventually emerge as the Mid Antrim representatives.

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The open pairs also had 2 sections this year due to the increased entry.

Section B saw G Wilson (Michelin) qualify for the final with a semi final win against B Russell (Cuningham Mem). In the other half of the draw N Booth ( Old Bleach) qualified for the final with a win against D Morrison (1st Ahoghill). Due to duplications the final of the contest will take place at a later date.

Section A saw R Fleming reach the final with a win in a tight contest against A Duncan (2nd Donegore). They faced M Boyd (Michelin) in the final in contests that placed father and son on opposite sides with G Lithco in oppositrion to T Lithco. After a contest that went to an extra end it was T Lithco and M Boyd who qualified.

Three competitions remain to be played with the over 55s and two junior events to be arranged.