Home & Away Cup Prelims 1st Legs
Rockers 8-6 Castle
Eastway 5-9 pirates
Monkstown 12-2 Alpha
Dolly Mixtures 0-14 Spartans
Rockers 8-6 Castle. The Rockers got off to a flyer winning the first 2 frames courtesy of a break & dish from Captain J.McClean and a fine clearance from A.Arbuthnot. But Castle came storming back, T.McCorry taking advantage of an error and debutante N.McKelvey breaking and dishing against against R.Butler. Dn Whiteside restored the home sides lead with a clearance against P.Roberts but back came Castle again with an excellent display off potting against against J.Johnston. The final frame of the first session went to The Rockers courtesy of a tidy finish from Arbuthnot. Rockers started the 2nd session as they started the 1st winning 2 on the trot through Dn.Whiteside and a delightful 8 baller from McClean. But Irwin ousted Dn.Whiteside in a scrappy frame and T.Whiteside held his nerve in frame 11 to steady the Castle ship and reduce their deficit to 5-6. In the next Arbuthnot gained control after loose play from J.Meredith going on to rip out a neat clearance. The hosts now led 7-5 with 2 to play but up stepped N.McKelvey with another precise 8 ball clearance to claw a frame back for Castle and give them hope of a draw. But Rockers secured a 2 frame lead to take into the 2nd leg when Captain McClean potted the black with the finest of cuts for an 8-6 victory for his team. This tie is far from over as the Jacqs Bar cuemen have to travel to the RAOB venue in the 2nd leg knowing that a Castle side boasting 3 Northern Ireland 'A' Team Internationals are more than capable of overturning the deficit. Top point scorers on the night were A.Arbuthnot and J.McClean both on 3/3
Monkstown 12-2 Alpha. A healthy lead going into the 2nd leg of the Home and Away Cup is always a bonus so Monkstown were more than happy to storm into a 9-0 lead when they entertained their neighbours from Rathcoole, courtesy of wins from P.Charles 2, R.Henderson 2, G.Russell 2, S.Greenberg 2 and P.Henderson 1. J.Robinson finished well in frame 10 to get one on the board for the visitors, but P.Henderson restored Monkstowns 9 frame advantage in the next. Alpha Captain M.Kitson notched up another win for the visitors but Monkstown finished strongly with both Henderson brothers gaining a frame. Best on the night were P.Henderson, R.Henderson and S.Greenberg all on 100%
Dolly Mixtures 0-14 Spartans. Spartans won every frame in this tie in the Harbour Point Bar. The 2nd Leg is now just a formality although it could have been different if the Ladies team had taken some of the chances they created for themselves. Scoreline apart, the DMs played well in most frames but on this occasion just couldn't close out any frames. On the scoreboard for the visitors were S.McWhirter 3, S.Burns 3, S.Hamilton 2, K.English 2, D.Lowe 2 and R.Hawkins 2.