Success for NIPBA clubs in cup

The Bannsiders made one change from the disappointing defeat by Ballymoney in midweek, with Ally Davison in for Peter Irwin.

Played at the wonderful Glenarm Road facilities, the Coleraine lads settled well and took an early six shot lead. The hosts fought back and soon opened a six shot lead themselves, only for the Lodge Road lads to swing the game in their favour as they took a 10 shot lead at the halfway stage. It was soon increased further as the Dallas and McDermott rinks pulled away from their opponents and Coleraine opened up a 20 shot lead with four ends to play.

However, the Larne men had other ideas and they set about getting back into the game as they cut the deficit to five shots with three ends left over two rinks, the McDermott rink lost a two just as Stephen Brewster ditched a jack to claim a single for the Calvin rink; the nerves were tense from the watching spectators but Jonny’s four stayed cool and claimed a shot to seal a hard fought 77-72 victory.

Coleraine will be delighted to have come through a difficult away tie against a very good Larne side. Yet another away match lies in store for the Bannsiders as they travel to Portglenone for an all NIPBA fourth round tie. Coleraine know only too well how tough a match lies in wait, as they were pushed all the way by Portglenone in their Piggot Cup and league victories over them this season.

The Gortgole Road boys had a superb 59 shot home win over Old Bleach at the weekend, so the Lodge Road boys will travel with a warning. Another mammoth week lies in store for Coleraine as they host Dunluce on Monday night in the league as they look to maintain their slender one point lead at the top, before they take on the Bushmills boys in the final of the Piggot Cup this Saturday at Portrush BC, as they look to bring the famous old trophy back to the Lodge Road sideboard for the first time since 2006.

Portrush also progressed into the fourth round with a comfortable win over Portadown. Gary McCloy did the damage for the hosts as he beat R McMullan by 25 shots.

Ballymoney squeezed through thanks to a four shot win over Ulster Transport. Both sides won two rinks each in what was a tight affair with Alastair Steele and Gary Kelly doing the business for the Toon. The game between Brookgreen and Ballycastle was another close affair with the seasiders winning by five shots in the end.

Limavady bowed out of the cup after they lost by nine shots at Londonderry Park.

Fixtures

Thursday 14 June

NIPBA Singles Round 4

J. Calvin CR v N. McNeill BC

F. Jackson PG v D. Jones BM

G. Scott CT v S. Quinn CT

R. Kane DL v P. Kennedy PR

A. Davison CR v G. McCloy PR

B. Smyth DL v W. McCaw BM

Friday 15 June

Hyland Donaghy Cup Final

Dungiven or Ballycastle B v Dunluce B @ Coleraine B.C. 7pm.

Saturday 16 June

Piggott Cup Final

Coleraine v Dunluce @ Portrush B.C. 2pm.

Monday 18 June

Progressive Senior League

Dunluce v Ballycastle

Portrush v Coleraine

Cookstown v Limavady

City of Derry v Brookgreen

Portglenone v Ballymoney

Tuesday 19 June

Progressive Division 1 League

Magherafelt v Ballymoney B

Portrush B v Cookstown B

Letterkenny v City of Derry B

Brooke Park v Castlerock

Coleraine B v KIlrea