sports round-up

Results Friday 7th February 2014

League week 12

Blackwater Bar v Ma Kelly’s 6-0

Joey’s Bar v Bush House. 1-5

Diamond Bar v Joey’s Flights 3-3

Kelly’s Own v Royal British Legion 5-1

Joey’s Bar 3 bye

High scores

N Duncan 3x100 140

B Nelson 2x100 140

G Small 3x100 140

W Sharpe 3x100 2x100

K Reilly 3x100

D Howard 140

J McMullan 4x100

D Woods 3x100 180

D McMullan 4x100. 105

J Watt 7x100 180 140

M McIlhatton 100

C Peacock 3x100 180 125

A McIlhatton 140 101 100

M Rooney 120 100

A Neill 125

D Neill 120 111 100

J Patton 2x100

J Woods 3x100

T McDonald 4x100 140

E O’Neill 2x100 101

J McCook 122

R Mooney 5x100 102

S Walker 3x100 140

T McCook 140 100

J Ferguson 120 100

C Harvey 100

S Moore 5x100 4 x140 180 125

D Graham 3x100 121

F McMullan 3x100 140

D McDonald 2x100 140

P McIlvenna 2x100

R Madison 2x100 140

G McCarty 2x100

R Dunlop 6x100 4x140 2x180 120 125

R Murphy 2x125 135 100

W Glass 2x100

A Archibald 138 125 121 100

C McCaw 3x135 120

M Hamilton 100

B Stinson 105 100

W Steele 135 100

Fixtures for Friday 14th February - Angus Elder Memorial Shield .

This will be played in Joey’s Bar . It is a 7 player team event and team captains are asked to register their team for 8.45pm so the draw can be made and darts start at 9pm sharp.

Ballymoney Motorbike Show

Ballymoney Motorbike Show will be held in the Joey Dunlop Centre on Friday 7th March 5pm - 10pm and Saturday 8th March 10am - 5pm.

This is the 15th year the show has been held in this venue and each year the organisers support a charity and this year we will be supporting The Samaritans.

There will be a large display of racing bikes on display along with classic - vintage - mini moto and off road as well as a selection of stallholders offering different goods for sale from photos to auto jumble.

There will be top riders past and present making an apperance to meet and have a chat with their fans so the organises encourage the public to come along and support not only the sport but also this worthwhile charity.

Anyone wanting more information or to display bikes contact Davy on 07922060107.

Portrush hockey team are five alive against Ballymena

Portrush 5 - 1 Ballymena

Portrush were back in action on Saturday after four absent weeks due to the recent weather.

They entertained Ballymena in the Quarter-Final of the Irish Challenge Cup at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre Ballymoney as the pitch in Ballycastle had been in terrible condition in recent weeks.

With the absence of Vice-captain and birthday boy Neil McMaster, Portrush knew it would be a hard task.

However, Portrush started the game with a bang and within 2 minutes had shell-shocked the visitors as Callum McKeeman’s strike looped over the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

The following 10 minutes were scrappy from Portrush with passes and touches well below what is expected.

However the Braidmen could not capitalise and Portrush doubled their lead soon after with what is possibly the team goal of the season as Richard McNabb delivered a snappy past to Callum who exchanged passes with John Dillon who put the ball on a plate for the young rising star Graeme Christie who finished the move with an excellent finish. 2-0.

With Portrush now in control they kept the ball better and the defence were able to deal with any Ballymena attack with ease.

Half-time 2-0. Now in the second half Portrush were playing the quality of hockey they expect and soon put the tie to rest as an excellent ball from Ryan Smith to James McCook split the defence wide open and with only the goalkeeper to beat John Dillon slotted the ball home to make it 3-0.

The only lapse in concentration all day was punished by Ballymena as they made their way into the circle too easily and a finesse flick from the Ballymena forward made the game 3-1.

With the match now coming into the last 5 minutes Portrush were awarded a short corner from which the young Philip Linton scored his first goal! 4-1.

Now with only seconds remaining Leon Smith broke free of the Ballymena defence and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to round off the scoring at 5-1.

With the influential Neil McMaster absent his replacement Andy Christie showed he could really step up to the mark and if the teacher were there, he could have been given a lesson of his own from the student!

On the right side both Callum McKeeman and Ryan Smith put in so much effort and showed excellent skill up the right side.

In defence Richard McNabb played an excellent game of control at the back and communicated really well to the rest of the team.

With both youngsters Graeme Christie and Philip Linton on the score sheet yet again, it puts more pressure on the senior team members to step their game up.

This win kept Portrush’s treble ambitions alive with one trophy already in the cabinet, the Senior league 2 trophy looks very possible and now with the Semi-final of the Irish Challenge Cup to look forward to everyone hopes it will be a very memorable year for the club.

Portrush: G.McAllister (GK), R.Smith, R.McNabb, A.McConaghie, G.Kerr, L.Smith, C.McKeeman, A.Kerr(C), G.Christie, J.Dillon, A.Christie. Subs: P.Linton, J.McCook (Man of the Match: Andy Christie)

Big adventure

27-year-old adventurer, Gary Boyd from the Ballymoney area will be cycling 360 miles, through 4 countries in aid of WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals).

This event, called “Cycling The Danube” is part of an ongoing project called “Extreme ‘14”, where Gary goes through an intense physical challenge each month in aid of animal protection.

Having already completed the “Race Over The Glens” in January, and “Hell And Back” in February, the next event in March sees him travelling to Germany to complete his biggest challenge yet.

The cycle route will begin in Passau (Germany) and follows the course of the River Danube across Austria, up into Slovakia, and finally finishing in Budapest, Hungary.

If you would like to help with the fundraising you can contact Gary at [email protected] for further details.

Ballymoney Blaze volleyball sides in action

Ballymoney Blaze Firsts travelled to Coleraine to play University of Ulster .

Blaze started off well with strong serving from Ellen Yates, and Lydia Flemming who varied her serve to keep Coleraine on their toes, the defence knew that they had to step up their game.

They did just this meaning that Blaze had to adjust to their shorter serves.

Teanna Mills passed consistently well throughout to help set up attack for Abi Millar. Blaze won the first set at 25-11.

The second set was a much closer affair but with great saves from Megan de Jode and Ellen Monteith, Blaze did everything they could to keep their lead.

Coleraine played well and were able to close the gap with a closer score of 25-17.

Blaze knew that they needed to close their opposition down early after their comeback in the second set, Isy Ross served powerfully and the Blaze team showed their authority winning the set 25-4. After 3 great sets Blaze won the match 3-0 win.

* Ballymoney Blaze men travelled to Ulster University Jordanstown.

Jordanstown started the first set strongly taking an early lead as Blaze struggled to find their rhythm.

After settling Blaze soon took the lead with effective hitting from Jeff Scott and Jonathan Workman putting them in front. Blaze continued this run of form with consistent serving to take the first set 25-23.

After losing the first set Jordanstown fought back hard putting themselves in a strong position from the very start of the second set.

Strong hitting from Nick Wright and great blocking from Ryan Caddell proved troublesome for Ballymoney. Jordanstown held their lead and took the second set convincingly with the score 25-13.

With the set scores level at one each both teams started the third set with intent.

Straight from the off the play was more intense with Blaze finding a run of strong defence to hold off the Jordanstown attacks.

Both teams fought hard but Blaze showed the intent and continued to take the third set matching the score of the first set with a 25-23 win.

Not disheartened by the previous set Jordanstown responded well taking an early run of points and really testing the Blaze side.

After a timeout Blaze passed well, although despite great setting from David Park they couldn’t get past the Jordanstown Block.

Showing no sign of easing up Jordanstown took the fourth set with a score of 25-16.With the score at 2 sets each Blaze were able to take the lead and Blaze were able to contain the opposition and took the final set 15-13.