Shield quarter-final line-up completed

THE quarter-final line-up for the Charity Shield in the Keith Williams Snooker and Pool table services-sponsored Ballymena and District Snooker League was finalised last week.

Minnesota B grabbed the final qualification spot in Group A despite falling to a defeat against visiting Parochial Hawks.

Niall Martin gave Hawks the lead with a hard fought victory over Willie Dobbin in the third frame.

John Martin then won the opening frame of his game with David Swann before the Minnesota man hit back with a 60 break en route to levelling the contest. The final frame was a tight frame with John eventually taking it to double the Hawks’ advantage.

Hawks captain Danny McGarry then extended his team’s lead with a victory over Jordan Millar. Andrew Hutchinson gave Minnesota what proved to be a vital point with victory in the third frame of his match with Paul Casey. A 33 break from Andrew turned out to be the deciding factor in this frame.

In Dunloy, Parochial Lions’ hopes of sneaking into the quarter-finals received a setback when they had to travel with only three players.

Needing at least three points to have a chance of advancing, the Lions fought hard but had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the end. Richard Russell put Lions in front with a win over Dunloy United captain Michael Crilly, only for United’s Brendan McTaggart to draw the Dunloy side level with a win over Dennis Curran.

League chairman Ronnie McCart dropped the opening frame of his game with Paul Kelly before using his years of experience on the green baize to draw level by taking the second frame. The veteran Lions captain then kept his nerve in a tense decider to win the frame on a re-spotted black.

Dunloy United 2, Parochial Lions 2: [45] M Crilly 0, [20] R Russell 2 (45-65, 57-64); [35] B McTaggart 2, [70] D Curran 0 (71-60, 82-59); [55] P Kelly 1, [70] R McCart 2 (64-47, 13-47, 50-57); [50] C Cunning w/o [20] R McAleese.

Minnesota B 1, Parochial Hawks 3: [30] W Dobbin 1, [60] N Martin 2 (28-67, 73-61, 56-72); [15] D Swann 1, [60] J Martin 2 (72-85, 90-60, 73-81); [20] J Millar 0, [45] D McGarry 2 (50-70, 51-54); [15] A Hutchinson 2, [35] P Casey 1 (66-39, 53-70, 74-38). Breaks - David Swann 60; Andrew Hutchinson 33.

Final standings: Parochial Hawks, played 4, points 12; Dunloy United 4-11; Dunloy Cowboys 4-8; Minnesota ‘B’ 4-5; Parochial Lions 4-4.

In Group B, Fountain Jokers claimed the final quarter final spot thanks to the efforts of their Fountain Aces clubmates. Having competed all their group games, Jokers had to hope that Minnesota Strikers failed to beat Fountain Aces in their final group game.

Sean French defeated Matthew McFall to put Aces ahead but Trevor Alexander kept Strikers’ hopes alive with a 2-1 win over James Gourley.

Strikers’ hopes of progressing in the competition disappeared, however, as Aces’ Paul Bloomer fired a couple of mid-twenties breaks on his way to defeating Bill McKane in the third frame of their match.

Colin Perry then defeated Ian Templeton to salvage a draw for the Strikers and this allowed them to finish level on points with Fountain Jokers but it was the Antrim side who advanced to the next stage by virtue of having a slightly better frame difference.

The other group B game was between unbeaten sides Dunloy Galaxy and Minnesota A and it was the Ballymena side who remained undefeated after a 4-0 win.

Brian Hannaway was in good form as he defeated Bobby Darragh in three frames. Brian had a 43 break and a 51 clearance after Bobby had won the opening frame.

That was the only frame the Dunloy side won, however, as Rodney McFall beat Miceal Murphy to double the Minnesota advantage. David McClintock and Dean Greer ensured the ‘A’ topped the group with wins over Chrissy Connor and Paul McQuillan respectively.

Minnesota A 4, Dunloy Galaxy 0: [10] B Hannaway 2, [50] B Darragh 1 (22-87, 90-81, 87-61); [10] R McFall 2, [30] M Murphy 0 (84-34, 71-55); [10] D McClintock 2, [55] C Connor 0 (73-50, 81-53); [35] D Greer 2, [45] P McQuillan 0 (64-49, 48-40). Breaks - Brian Hannaway 51c, 43; David McClintock 36.

Minnesota Strikers 2, Fountain Aces 2: [60] M McFall 0, [60] S French 2 (31-46, 26-56); [35] T Alexander 2, [50] J Gourley 1 (49-25, 55-64, 73-33); [25] B McKane 1, [35] P Bloomer 2 (53-43, 20-57, 24-66); [60] C Perry 2, [60] I Templeton 0 (57-51, 51-30). Breaks - Paul Bloomer 24, 26

Final standings: Minnesota A, played 4, points 14; Dunloy Galaxy 4-11; Fountain Aces 4-7; Fountain Jokers 4-4; Minnesota Strikers 4-4.

Revised quarter-final draw: Parochial Hawks v Fountain Jokers; Dunloy Galaxy v Dunloy Cowboys; Minnesota A v Minnesota B; Dunloy United v Fountain Aces. Matches to be played Monday, November 8.