Title race hotting up in Division One of NW League

This week however could see a big change when both these teams play each other but with home advantage the Marian may have the slight edge.

Loughanreagh took the long journey down to Finvoy knowing that nothing less than a win could spell disaster for their League campaign.

The players responded magnificently, winning all four games to get the seven points on offer. Allaistair Steele beat Chris Jones; Nigel Gamble beat Roy Hunter; Ian Ross beat Mark Jones and Alan Irwin beat Joe Moore.

Knowing that Loughanregh had already won their game, the Marian went to Aghadowey looking for a good result in their match with St. Mary’s.

The Marian started well with Jim Martin beating David Gaile (St. Mary’s) 9 shots to 7 shots.

It soon became two nil to the Marian with Aidan Cassley winning by four shots against Seamus Doherty (St. Mary’s). In the second half Declan McCann put a smile back on the faces of the St. Mary’s team with a fine win against William McCaw (Marian). Brian McAlary restored the Marian’s supremacy when he beat Kevin McNamee (St. Mary’s) to give the Marian 6 valuable points.

What has happened to St. Colman’s this season? Last year they were fighting for League honours but this year they are half way down the League table.

With home advantage against Second Kilrea the pundits were putting them down for a win.

Second Kilrea did not read the script however for they won the overall score picking up five points to climb above their rivals in the League table.

In the first game Aaran Walker (St. Colman’s) held on to beat Stephen Arbuthnot (Kilrea) by a single shot. On mat two Graham Wilson (Kilrea) had a very comfortable win over David Walker (St. Colman’s).

Nicky McCaw (Kilrea) and Martin McAleese (St. Colman’s) had a good old battle with McCaw running out the winner 10 shots to seven shots. Aaran Tennant nearly pulled the game back for St. Colman’s when he had a big win against Ivan Smyth (Kilrea) but his score just fell short of giving the home team the overall win.

Dunluce gave another solid performance this week with a good home win against Ballinrees. Jonathan Kerr (Ballinrees) lost by one shot to Uel McKeeman (Dunluce).

Ian Kerr put Dunluce two up at the break with a 12 shots to 9 shots win over Andrew Kelly.

Victor Millen pulled a game back for Ballinrees with a two shot win against Rodney Kane (Dunluce) but Allistair Kirkpatrick got the bonus points for Dunluce when he beat Noel Bradley (Ballinrees) 12 shots to 7 shots.