Home + Away Cup (Semi Final, 1st Leg)
Spartans 8-6 HM & H
Scorpions 8-6 Castle
2nd Legs played Monday 25th February
Both these Semi Finals are very much in the balance.
In Whitehead Monkstown HM&H raced into a 3-0 lead after superb clearances from Andy McMeekin and Paul Henderson along with a gutsy win from Sara Greenberg. It should have been 4-0 but Spartans stole it coutesy of a fantastic cut on the black by Stephen Johnston. The hosts took the remaining 3 frames off the first session, including a pinpoint finish from debutante Bill McIlroy Sr to lead 4-3 at the interval. The next 2 were shared to keep Spartans ahead by the odd frame. It looked bleak for the visitors as Spartans moved 4 frames ahead ahead with a 3 frames burst, but they ended as they started by taking the last 2 of the match to ensure a nervy night next week for both teams in the Monkstown Social Club.
In Whiteabbey RBL, Scorpions won both sessions 4-3 over Castle for an 8-6 lead to take down the road to the Greenisland Club next week. Best for the visitors was in form Captain Trevor Whiteside with another impressive hat trick. For the home side Captain Jonny Thompson scored 2/2 as did stalwart Colin Montgomery Sr, including the vital last frame of the match to secure that 2 frame advantage.