HEADLINES
WINS FOR TOP 4 BUT ONLY JUST FOR SPARTANS AS MONKSTOWN FIGHT BACK ~ MSC TROJANS UP TO 6TH ~ ALL SQUARE BETWEEN BEARS AND VALKYRIES ~ GREENISLAND WIN AWAY Barbarians 5-9 MSC Trojans
Whitehead Trojans 3-11 Rockers
Monkstown 6-8 Spartans
Castle 9-5 Eastway
Teddy Bears 7-7 Valkyries
Alpha 4-10 Greenisland
Pirates 10-4 Scorpions
Pirates 10-4 Scorpions. Pirates couldn't have wished for a better start as they continued their wonderful season challenging for the League title, what a breath of fresh air they have been. S.Carson, P.McCaffrey and C.Carson with a classy finish, raced them into a 3-0 lead, but the Scorpion sting wasn't extinguished altogether and C.Montgomery Jr and C.Rafferty brought them back into match at 3-2. The next 2 frames went the way of the hosts through H.McMurtry and P.McCaffrey to give Roy McMurtry's Pirates a 5-2 lead at the interval. It got better into the 2nd half for the home team with an S.Carson whitewash and a win for the experienced A.Corrigan guaranteeing them at least a point at 7-2. Scorpions rallied to take the next brace of frames but Pirates done their frame difference no harm at all by winning the final 3 frames of the match courtesy of C.Carson, H.McMurtry and the ever improving P.McCaffrey with his hat trick on the night.
Barbarians 5-9 MSC Trojans. It started well for the hosts with wins for NI Seniors players H.Regan and M.Porter. But the visitors retaliated with a fine treble, courtesy of wins from J.Murdoch, A.Mackie and R,McMaw. J Regan levelled at 3-3 but the all important 7th frame went to the visitors through M.McIlvenny. After the interval it was soon level again with another Porter success as the match looked like it would go the distance. But a 5 frame burst from MSC Trojans gauranteed Rab Browns team the 3 points that move them up to a credible 6th in the League table, only 2 points behind their stablemates Monkstown. The final frame of the match was won by Barbarian P.Akehurst.
Monkstown 6-8 Spartans. It's never over till it's over. Although Monkstown took a 1-0 lead, League leaders The Spartans then proceeded to take the next 6 matches on the first half of the card to enjoy a very healthy lead at a venue they invariably struggle at. And when the visitors increased the lead to 7-1 after the interval it looked like game set and match. Not the case though, as Monkstown reeled off 4 on the trot to trail only 5-7. In the crucial Frame 13 G.Russell was unlucky when going for game but not for the first time this season Larne man E.Martin ripped out a precise clearance to edge his side over the line much to the relief of his team mates. And it was just as well, as P.Henderson won the last for the hosts with probably one of the quickest break and dishes the League has ever seen. With Spartans Manager T.Maguire absent, stand in R.Hawkins was delighted to head back down the coast with the 3 points. Highlights of the night were another 3/3 for E,Martin, a position perfect break and dish from E.McDowell and that rapid clearance from P.Henderson. Scorers as follows. Spartans, Martin 3, McDowell 2, English 2, Lowe 1. Monkstown, P.Henderson 2, R.Henderson 1, Greenberg 1, Russell 1 and Charles 1.