Saturday 30 August 2014

League Results from Tuesday 2nd September


SWIFT 10-4 COWBOYS
GREENISLAND GALACTICOS 9-5 WARRIORS
SPARTANS 10-4 ALPHA
HM&H 8-6 TEDDY BEARS
GREENISLAND WMSC 3-11 SCORPIONS
EASTWAY 10-4 TROJANS
DOAGH WEAPONS 11-3 GREENISLAND COLTS


The new City Air Express Carrick & District Pool league got under way with Champions, The Greenisland Galacticos, opening their defence against Clare Roberts’ Warriors.  It was business as usual for the champions, going into the break 6-1 ahead. However Warriors came out fighting in the second half taking the 2nd session 4-3 and showing signs of continuing improvement. Best for the champions were Northern Ireland Men’s B2 Manager, T Whiteside (3/3) and P Harris (2/2). Dark horses for the league this year, the Scorpions had a retro look to their team with the addition of the successful 90’s doubles duo, Darren Whiteside & Ray Crowe.  They got their season under way against the Greenisland Working Men’s Club and they didn’t disappoint, winning both sessions 5-2.  Best for the visitors were Darren Whiteside (3/3), C Montgomery (2/2) and D Montgomery (2/2).The Hit Men & Her hosted the Teddy Bears and quickly ran away with the tie winning the first session 6-1.  Dee McIlwaine’s boys dug in for the second half winning the session 5-2 - a tighter than expected match but, given the Teddy Bears’ starts to the last two seasons, the Hit Men & Her will be pleased to bank the 3 points. Dee Willis’ Eastway entertained the league grinders Whitehead Trojans and won the first half comfortably 6-1 and the 2nd session 4-3, with Eastway’s Trevor Greer bagging a fine hatrick. League newcomers the Doagh Weapons hosted also newly formed Greenisland Colts winning the first session 6-1 and the second half 5-2.  Best for the hosts were J Barons (2/2), C Laughlin (2/2) and J Moore (2/2). Tie of the night between last year’s runners up, The Swift, and 3rd place The Cowboys was a tight affair with manager Paul Roberts taking the last frame of the half to edge Swift in front 4-3, the second half was a different matter as the Swift boys ran out the session 6-1.Whitehead Spartans hosted last year’s wooden spoon holders The Alpha, winning both sessions 5-2.  Best on the night were K English (2/2), R Hawkins (2/2), S McWhirter (2/2). The season ahead looks to be one of the closest in recent years, with the talent moving around in the closed season. Last year’s runners up, The Swift, got off to the start they wanted after blaming their poor start last year for falling short at the business end of the season. Most settled team, the Hit Men & Her, look to be in with a shout, league veterans Spartans with a youthful injection from their stablemates the Trojans now have options given their average age. League champions the Galacticos have also added quality to their ranks and will be hard to break down, while newcomers the Doagh Weapons look very handy with the addition of last year’s player of the year, Rab McCullough, and with a mix of men’s and senior internationals in their ranks. Cup specialists in recent years, the Scorpions have signed well in the closed season and must be quietly confident. Our league seems to go from strength to strength every season and if the team managers can keep attendance up over the course of the season, there could be one of the best run-ins in the league’s history.