Castle 10-4 Monkstown Bees
Spartans 12-2 Greenisland
Rockers 8-6 Scorpions
Eastway 8-6 Monkstown
Pirates 8-6 Dolly Mixtures
Barbarians 11-3 Alpha
Monkstown Bees 4-10 Castle
Champions Castle got their League title defence under way with a good win away to newcomers the Monkstown Bees. The Champions put out a statement of intent by racing into a 5-0 lead with wins from DIrwin (2), TMcCorry (2) and PRoberts. It should have been 6 but Castle Captain DWhiteside missed a routine black to gift the frame to AMackey and RBrown gave the Bees more hope with against JMeredith. Half time score 5-2 to the visitors. Irwin then secured his hat trick before Brown won his 2nd of the night. The Bees were buzzing now but a 4 frame burst for Castle through Roberts, McCorry and Meredith (2) put the match beyond the reach of the hosts. Bees took the final frame courtesy of a win from AMcMeekin. Best on the night were the consistently steady DIrwin and TMcCorry with his customary smorgasbord of attacking pool. Both won 3/3.
Barbarians 11-3 Alpha
Barbarians made a bright start to the season with an emphatic win over fellow newcomers The Alpha. PGingles started the rout but it was soon 1-1 when Scott Hay unluckily potted the black mid frame. But Barbarians rattled off the next 5 in a row through PGingles, SMitchell, HRegan, GHarrington and AGalloway. The visitors won the first frame of the 2nd session with a win for LCarson, but 3 on the trot from Regan, Mitchell and Harrington ensured the 3 points would go to the Barbarians. Although Alpha pulled another back the home side won the final 2 to complete the rout. Well done to Stephen Mitchell who won 3/3 on his Carrick League debut.
Pirates 8-6 Dolly Mixtures
New Ladies team in the League, the Dolly Mixtures set out their stall early showing that they aren't just there to make up the numbers. With a number of Northern Ireland International players in their team, they led The Pirates 5-2 at one stage and pushed them all the way before unluckily losing 8-6. Well done to Jean McIlroy who won 3/3 on the night.
Rockers 8-6 Scorpions
In Rockers first match of the season they faced a very strong Scorpion team who have title ambitions of their own this season. Scorpions led through C.Howard, but the home side soon levelled courtesy of a J.McClean win. But the visitors led again after debutante A.Toner ripped out a delightful clearance against Carricks reigning Player of the Year, R.Butler. It was soon 3-1 through W.Smyth. A.Arbuthnot avenged his opening frame defeat by ousting Howard to bring it back to 2-3 and it was soon level after a good frame from S.Carson. P.Harris won Rockers 3rd in a row to give them a 4-3 interval lead. Scorpions then rallied taking the first 3 of the 2nd session through Howard, C.Montgomery Sr and C.Rafferty. At 6-4 up the away side just needed one more frame to secure at least a draw. But Rockers were having none of it and duly reeled of the final 4 frames of the night through the reliable quartet of Harris, Arbuthnot, McClean and Butler to seal a much welcome win and break Scorpions hearts. Best wishes to Rockers player Jonny Johnstone. He and wife Lisa have just found out they are expecting their 3rd child.
Spartans 12-2 Greenisland
Last years League Runners Up, the Spartans signalled their intentions to go one better this time with a big win over last seasons Wooden Spoonists Greenisland. The scoreline may have been closer if good gameplay in a few frames had ended in more clinical finishing for the away side. The Spartans also took out four 8 ball clearances as they won both sessions 6-1. McDowell and English both scored 3/3 for the Spartans whilst Greenislands best performer was Glen Burns who played 2 and won both.