Surprise results mark opening week of action in District League

The most-eye catching saw last season’s Division One champions BPFA ‘A’ open their defence of their title with a home defeat by Golf Club.

Wins from Johnny Lynn and Kevin McGarry’s rinks were enough to earn the Raceview side overall victory by two shots, despite rink wins for Broughshane from Alan Cahoon and David Morrison.

Clough Rangers produced an emphatic display to take full points against an under-strength Old Bleach side, with Denis McClurkin, Jim Gilchrist, Raymond Aitcheson and William Patton all leading their rinks to victory.

Michelin, whose defence of the title last season was hampered by a slow start to the campaign, are determined not to make the same mistake this time and they opened with a convincing 29 shot victory over BIBC ‘A’, who were previously known as BUSC.

Wesley Caldwell, Graham Wilson and Matthew Boyd’s rinks all had convincing wins but James Gaston grabbed a point for the visitors in the first half.

BIBC’s first game in the top flight for several years saw them share the spoils with JTI.

A ‘4’ on the last end from club President Nigel Robinson proved important as it also earned ‘BI’ the point for overall score.

JTI’s winning rinks were skipped Brian Russell and Timothy Rock, while Roy Torrington’s match with Billy Lynn ended all square.

BPFA ‘A’ 37 (2), Golf Club 39 (3): A Morrison 7, J Lynn 13; A Cahoon 8, S McGarry 6; D Morrison 12, D McCullough 9; W Morrison 10, K McGarry 11.

BIBC 38 (2.5), JTI 34 (2.5): R Torrington 9, B Lynn 9; T Hill 9, B Russell 11; N Robinson 14, G Maybin 5; D Torrington 6, T Rock 9.

Michelin 52 (4), BIBC ‘A’ 23 (1): M McCullough 7, J Gaston 9; W Caldwell 15, D Elliott 4; G Wilson 15, J Millar 4; M Boyd 15, A Duncan 6.

Clough Rangers 48 (5), Old Bleach 28 (0): D McClurkin 12, J McCullough 8; J Gilchrist 10, N McNally 8; R Aitcheson 10, M McDonald 6; W Patton 16, S Gilmore 6.

DIVISION TWO

Newly-promoted Antrim Indoor Bowling Club carried on their winning form of last season by beating Golf Seniors.

Portglenone Community Centre, boosted by the captures of a couple of players from the outdoor game, were impressive winners at BPFA ‘B’ while there were also wins for Services ‘A’ and Moneyglass.

BPFA ‘B’ 26, (1), Portglenone CC 54 (4): H McCullough 11, J Gaul 9; D Kernohan 8, J McErlean 10; J Campbell 3, N McCaw 22; N Graham 4, B McAlary 13.

Services ‘A’ 39 (5), Harryville CC 28 (0): J Stevenson 10, N Worthington 9; D McNeill 7, H Smyth 6; B Kitson 15, S Wilson 7; B Stewart 7, B McBride 6.

Moneyglass 42 (3.5), Services ‘B’ 23 (1.5): K Teague 8, E Smyth 8; S McNeilly 7, G Coulter 8; H Marron 17, R Dickson 3; T Magee 10, S Smith 4.

Antrim Indoor Bowling Club 41 (3,5), Golf Seniors 39 (1.5): R McCullough 11, I McMaster 11; D McCullough 14, C Wade 7; J Logan 12, D Smyth 8; T Evans 4, J Nichols 13.

DIVISION THREE

Glenravel got their campaign off to a winning start with a win over All Saints, while West Church, after a miserable time in Division Two last year, might find the third tier more to their liking.

Eaton Park were unable to field a team for their fixture against Maine and conceded the points.

* Division Three clubs should note that Brian Kerr is the new secretary of Maine.

Glenravel 34 (3), All Saints 35 (2): V Bryson 11, J McKay 9; M McAuley 8, S Haveron 5; M O’Neill 6, P Martin 14; M McKeegan 9, E McReynolds 7.

Round Tower 29 (2), West Church 33 (3): H Totten 3, V Mahon 13; J O’Neill 4, J Rainey 9; M Teer 12, M Livingstone 4; G Campbell 10, T Wilson 7.