Home & Away Cup Semi Finals (2nd Legs)
HM & H 7-7 Spartans (Spartans win 15-13 on aggregate)
Castle 7-7 Scorpions (Scorpions win 15-13 on aggregate)
It was a drama filled Monday night in the Home and Away Cup as both matches weren't decided until the 28th and final frames of the ties.
In the Greenisland Club Castle trailed 6-8 from the 1st Leg against Cup Holders The Scorpions. And it wasn't long before the visitors increased their advantage to 5 frames by winning the first 3 on the trot. It was looking ominous for Castle and matters got worse as Scorpions went 6-2 up on the night to go on the hill at 14-8. But what a scare Castle gave them as they clawed it right back to 13-14. Alas it wasn't to be and the relief on the Scorpion players faces was very evident as Captain Jonny Thompson potted the 28th black of the tie to take his team into the final again.
Spartans travelled up to Monksown SC to face HM&H with a slender 8-6 advantage from last weeks match in Whitehead. But it was the home side who won the opening frame courtesy of a good clearance from Andy McMeekin. An 8 ball clearance from Stephen Johnston and an Ed McDowell win put Spartans further in control at 10-7 overall before Sara Greenberg, bouyed by her Carrick Ladies Individual win at the weekend, levelled the match on the night at 2-2. Stephen McWhirter put the visitors in front again but another win from McMeekin and a superb finish from Paul Henderson gave HM&H a 4-3 lead at the break.
A Robert Hawkins win then gave Spartans some breathing space but another McMeekin win and an 8 ball run out from Captain Robert Henderson levelled the tie at 12-12 on aggregate. McWhirter and Johnston registered again for Spartans but the impressive Greenberg ensured the match would go to the deciding frame with a 2 double finish on her last colour and the black. The match looked destined for a play off frame between Hawkins and Greenberg after Michael Wilson lost position on the black, but the finest of cuts back into the corner pocket gave Spartans the all important 15th frame that they needed. For HM&H, the dream of a Cup Double this season is over but they can be more than proud of the part they played in this drama filled match.