Scorpions 12-2 Eastway
Scorpions got their League challenge under way with a thumping win over a strong Eastway side who never really got out of the traps. C.Rafferty set the ball rolling with an exquisite clearance in the first frame and a further run of 8 on the trot for the home side some with stunning play and some with good fortune at crucial times, gave them a 9-0 lead. Scorpions scorers were C.Rafferty and M.Higgins both on 3/3, and W.Smyth, J.Thompson and G.Thompson all on 2/2. T.Greer and L.McCord replied for Eastway.Alpha 2-12 Rockers
Newcomers The Alpha got off to a great start with J.Robinson beating J.Johnston with a fine finish. But Rockers have immense strength right throughout their side and won 10 straight frames on the trot to send a warning out to all the other teams that they want their Title back this season. Angela Carson pulled one back beating Northern Ireland International A.Arbuthnot. This was Angela's 2nd big scalp in 2 weeks but alas it was to no avail as Rockers ended up 12-2 victors. Best for the Winners were D.Whiteside, R.Butler and S.Carson, all winning 3/3.
Greenisland 10-4 Monkstown Bees
Greenisland raced into a 3 frame lead with wins from G.Burns, P.Akehurst and Team Captain H.Warwick. But newcomers the Bees soon levelled with a win from R.Brown and 2 from A.Mackey including a whitewash. With the scores at 3-3 W.Morrison stepped up for the home side to give them a slender 4-3 interval lead. The next 2 frames were shared, Akehurst with his 2nd of the night for the GI's and M.Lowry for the Bees. With the score at 5-4 for the hosts the match looked like going all the way to the last frame, but amazingly Greenisland took the last 5 frames in succession courtesy of wins from R.Croft, G.Burns, N.McCandless, W.Morrison and P.Akehurst to guarantee welcome 3 points. Best for the home side was P.Akehurst on 3/3 followed by G.Burns and W.Morrison on 2/2. Best for the Bees was A.Mackey on 2/3
Monkstown 5-9 Castle
Monkstown, who are now sponsored by Precision Tiling of Ballyclare, welcomed Champions Castle for their first home fixture of the new season. The first 2 were shared P.Roberts putting Castle 1 up but R.Henderson levelling for the hosts. Castle then took the next 2 with a win from D.Irwin and a classy break and dish from McCorry. T.Whiteside nearly followed with another B&D but P.Henderson fought back to reduce the arrears to 2-3. Irwin won his 2nd to make it 2-4 to Castle but S.Walker reduced it to 3-4 at the interval after J.Meredith unluckily potted the black mid frame. It was soon 4-4 as P.Henderson cleared up 4 seemingly dead balls and the black, but back into the lead went Castle again with a delightful 6 ball clearance from Irwin. Meredith then gave Castle some breathing space with a win to make it 4-6, but back came Monkstown again through R.Nelson. Other teams may have crumbled under the pressure on the tight Monkstown table but Castle showed why they hold the Title by taking the final 3 vital frames with 2 from T.Whiteside and 1 from P.Roberts for an important 9-5 victory and 3 points.Pirates 3-11 Spartans
Pirates made their first home appearance of the season in their newly refurbished Harbour Point Bar in Carrickfergus. It is a splendid venue to play pool in, no doubt one of the best in the League. But Tommy Maguire's Spartans spoiled the party with a barnstorming victory winning both sessions, 6-1 in the first and 5-2 in the second. Best for the visitors were R.Hawkins, J.Kane and S.Burns all winning 2/2, whilst S.Millar won 1/2 for the hosts.Other Score
Barbarians 13-1 Dolly Mixtures