Spartans 8-6 Barbarians
This match between the top 2 in the table was an absolute belter. Newcomers Barbarians were never overawed and were unlucky to get beaten, a draw would probably have been a fairer result. The first frame was not pretty as R.Hawkins grinded out a win over the H.Regan in a game that lasted over 30 minutes. The 2nd was the complete opposite as S. Burns, broke and dished against S.Mitchell giving the hosts a 2-0 lead. But it was soon 2-2 with fine wins fom P.Gingles and G.Harrington. S.McWhirter restored Spartans lead but wins from Mitchell and Harrington gave the visitors a 4-3 half time lead. With news coming through that Castle and Rockers were rumping to victory, Manager Tommy Maguire demanded that his warriors dug deep in the 2nd half if they wanted to sustain a League challenge this season. And they did just that. Although S.Hay increased Barbarians lead with a exquisite last pressure colour in the 8th frame, the home side took 5 on the trot through, Burns, McDowell, Kane, Hawkins and Hamilton to edge over the line and secure 3 vital points. Mitchell reduced the arrears to 6-8 with a fantastic last ball down the rail from distance to land plum on the black ball. What a match, Andy Galloway can be proud of his Barbarians, don't be surprised if they cause an upset or two as the season unfolds. Best for Spartans were Hawkins and Burns both winning 2/2. For the Barbars, Mitchell and Harrington both won 2/3.Dolly Mixtures 1-13 Rockers
Against all the odds K.McCormick pulled off a great finish in the opening frame to put the Ladies Team 1-0 up. But Rockers Captain John McClean steadied the ship with a good clearance of his own to level at 1-1. Rockers never looked back after this and romped to a 13-1 win. But credit to the Ladies, they were unlucky not to register a few more frames on the scoreboard with some neat play. Best for Rockers were J.McClean, P.Harris, A.Arbuthnot and R.Butler all winning 3/3Greenisland 6-8 Pirates
Pirates opened up this match in blistering style as they rushed in to a 3-0 lead with wins from A.Corrigan, A.Moore and H.McMurtry. But it was soon 3-3, GIs Captain H.Warwick whitewashed J.Millar added to further wins from W.Morrison and R.Croft. But Pirates took the next through J.McMurtry to lead 4-3 at the interval. The next 2 were shared, R.McMurtry for the visitors and the steady G.Burns for the hosts. Pirates soon led 7-4 with Moore winning his 2nd frame of the evening and A.Corrigan taking advantage of a missed black by Warwick. The destination of the 3 points was decided in the 12th frame as S.Millar notched up his 1st of the evening. It was just as well for the Harbour Pirates he did, as Morrison and Croft took the last 2 for Greenisland to finish the evenings play. Best for the home side were Morrison and Croft both on 2/2 and A.Moore excelled for the victors, also on 2/2.Eastway 10-4 Alpha
Eastway reeled off the first 5 frames in a row in this local derby, the next two were shared to give the hosts a 6-1 half way lead. Alpha faired better in the second period, losing it by 4-3 to leave the overall score ay 10-4 to Eastway. Best for Eastway were T.Greer, M.Greer and G.Orr all on 2/2 whilst J.Robinson also recorded 2/2 for Alpha.Monkstown Bees 4-10 Monkstown
The first 2 frames in this derby match were shared with G.Russell winning for Monkstown and R.Brown replying for the Bees. P.Charles, S.Greenberg and P.Henderson reeled off three in a row for Monkstown only for the Bees to take the next two through R.Bradshaw and A.Mackey to finish off the first half trailing 3-4. But the more seasoned Monkstown team took 5 in a row in the second session to seal the win and their first 3 points of the season. The next two were shared to give a final result of 10-4 for Monkstown. P.Henderson excelled for the winners on 3/3 with S.Greenberg just behind on 2/2. Best for the Bees was R.Brown on 2/3.Castle 12-2 Scorpions
Champions Castle completely steamrolled the Scorpions in this one sided fixture in the R.A.O.B Club in Carrickfergus. P.Roberts showed their intentions early on with a delightful break and dish. T.McCorry outfought the talented C.Rafferty to double the lead and it was soon 3-0 with a resplendent break and dish from D.Irwin. Four further wins from debutante B.Crossey, T.Whiteside, Irwin again and J.Meredith gave Derek Whiteside's Castle Team an unassailable 7-0 half time lead. Finally Scorpions got one on the scoreboard with C.Howard edging out Irwin. Rafferty scored again for the visitors to reduce the deficit to 7-2. Meredith sealed the 3 points for the hosts in the next, but they weren't finished yet by a long shot and Roberts (2), McCorry and Crossey completed the rout as the Castle Pool machine keeps rolling forward.