Barbarians 7-7 Castle
Champions Castle played this seasons surprise package Barbarians in this derby match in the Buffs Club, Carrick. It was the Barbars who struck first with G.Harrington finishing well against former team mate T.McCorry. It was soon 2-0 as experienced campaigner H.Regan edged out D.Irwin. It was up to T.Whiteside next to try and stabilise the Castle ship and he done just that with an excellent 7 ball clearance. But the Barbars soon restored their 2 frame lead with a precise finish from Captain, A.Galloway. And it got even better as Regan delighted his team with an astonishing 8 ball clearance for a 4-1 lead. Castle then scored 2 in a row, a delightful last colour to promote the black from Irwin and a win for J.Meredith in what was the scrappiest frame of the night. Castle led for the first time at 5-4 after a great McCorry finish and a classy break and dish from Meredith. and when they went 7-4 ahead through Irwin and P.Roberts it looked ominous for the Leagues newcomers, but S.Mitchell and Galloway had other ideas as they brought it back to 6-7 with 1 to play. And not long later the Barbarians had done what no other team had done this season, stopping Castle from winning, with a worthy clearance from young Mitchell. A great match and a fair result. What a double header we have coming up as Castle entertain The Rockers 2 weeks in a row, first in the Knockout Shield and then in the League in a match which could have a significant bearing on who wins this seasons title.
Rockers 11-3 Eastway
League leaders Rockers hosted Eastway thinking that they probably had to win to retain their top spot position over their closest rivals Castle, especially as frame difference could play a major part in this seasons campaign. With that in mind the hosts were solid as they took the first 10 frames in a row (A.Arbuthnot 2, R.Butler 2, S.Carson 3, P.Harris 2 and D.Whiteside) Eastway's Captain T.Larmour stopped the rot but Arbuthnot with his 3rd of the night restored the 10 frame advantage. The visitors kept the scoreline respectable with good wins from G.Orr and M.Greer in the final 2 frames. With news filtering through that Castle were held to a draw, Rockers celebrated an outright points lead at the top of the table as we near the half way mark in the season.
Pirates 5-9 Monkstown
A close match was expected at the Pirates Harbour Point venue and the first half didn't disappoint. S.Millar gave the hosts the lead with a fine finish but Monkstown won 3 on the trot through P.Henderson, S.Greenberg and P.Charles. Back came Pirates to level courtesy of A.Moore and A.Corrigan. The all important psychological lead at the interval went Monkstowns way with a great finish from P.Henderson. But Pirates have a resilience about them this season and it showed when they notched up the first 2 of the 2nd half through Corrigan and Moore to lead 5-4. Unfortunately for the home side Monkstown have a resilience too and a 5 frame burst in a row from their Captain Greenberg, P.Henderson, Charles, G.Russell and R.Henderson sealed an impressive win and moved Monkstown up into 4th spot in the League table. Best on the night for Monkstown was P.Henderson on 3/3 and S.Greenberg on 2/2. A.Corrigan scored 2/2 for the Pirates.
Alpha 1-13 Spartans
Other scores
Scorpions 11-3 Greenisland
Bees 8-6 Dolly Mixtures