Six points in home victory

Conscious of their loss at Newry the previous week, Lurgan put up a good fight against a depleted 1st Ballymacarrett side.

At times, the visitors narrowed the Lurgan lead to a few shots but the home side eventually won by 26.5 to move within sight of securing a top-four finish.

The final placing will depend on Lurgan’s next outing against Dromore.

Stewart Martin, Michael Steen, Brian Brown and Gerry Stewart made a confident start on rink one to lead 7-3 after five ends. The visitors struck back turn the tables and edge clear.

After the 14th, the visitors were 14-12 up before Lurgan’s strong finish produced nine shots in a 21-16 success.

Mel Hamilton, Bobby Jones, Mike Parr and Wilfie McCullough met a three-strong rink and were 9-7 up by halfway before a number of triples. However, 1st Ballymacarrett dominated after the interval on the way to an adjusted 24.75-15 tally.

Sam Neill - skipping on rink three with Declan McCabrey, Derek Henderson and Albert Houston - had a tight run against a troublesome rival four.

Lurgan were down by 11-7 against the three-strong opposition but five crucial shots off a single end proved important on the way to a 20-16 lead.

It was level by 18 ahead of Lurgan’s strong finish in a 22-21 tally, with the visitors’ final score reduced to 15.75.

The day’s highlight arrived on rink four thanks to Eamonn Quinn at skip plus Neil Sloan, Rodney McCarthy and Bobby Livingstone.

Sloan enjoyed a strong performance at third within the overall team display as Lurgan moved 6-3 up following a cautious five-end opening period.

Lurgan pushed on across the next seven ends to move clear by 22-6 at 13, with Quinn’s rink in commanding form.

The remaining ends proved in favour of the hosts, with a seven-shot win on the 17th one highlight within the 35-10 triumph.

This final result wrapped up six league points to place Lurgan in a positive position entering the closing league test away to Dromore.

Club officials would like to thank Alan Brown and Co insurance brokers for providing match sponsorship.