Ballymena league retains Champion of Champions trophy

The multiple Ballymena League champions ensured that the prestigious Area 2 Champion of Champions title stayed in Ballymena.

Drifters demolished Antrim-based neighbours The Crow's Nest 5-0 in the final to retain the most sought after trophy in the Area 2 calendar.

Meanwhile, back on domestic matters, this week will give an early indication of whether BT/PO Club can finally wrestle the league title from Drifters when the sides meet in the Church Street clubrooms this Friday evening.

Both will be putting their 100 per cent starts to the season on the line after both sides recorded victories once again last week.

The best individual performances of the week were 16-dart legs from Billy Gay (BT/PO) and Geoffrey Matthews (Drifters), followed by: 17 - Mike Stubbs, Jerome Carson; 18s Billy Gay, George Foster, Geoffrey Matthews; 19 - Mike Stubbs, Gary Gilmour, Geoff Wylie, John Elder, Richard Rainey x2; 20 - John Bamber, Davy Gilchrist, Trevor Johnston, George McDowell, George Aiken; 21 - Ian Rainey, Noel Craig, Ian Reynolds, Colin McCaughren, Davy McFall, Neil Marshall, Rodney Cubitt, Samuel Balmer, Denis Gault, Stephen Rock.

Chris Ramsey (Slemish) had the week's best finish with a 106 checkout, followed by: 96 - George Foster (Fountain Bar), 93 Davy McKinney (Knockeden) and 82 Ian Rainey (Fairhill).

Ian Reynolds (Towers), Billy Gay (BT/PO), Davy McFall (Central Arms), Geoffrey Matthews and John Elder (Drifters) all hit 180s.

DIVISION ONE

Social Club 6, Ladysmith 2: Social Danny Balmer (24-24) 2-1, Stephen Hamer (22) 2-1, Samuel Balmer (21) 2-1, Herbie Balmer 2-1, Rodney Thompson 2-1, George Aiken (20) 2-1. Ladysmith - Derek Connor (23-23) 2-0, Matt Calderwood 2-0.

Drifters 7, Fountain Arrows 1: Drifters - Geoff Wylie (22-19) 2-0, Rodney White 2-0, Davy McFall (22-22) 2-0, Geoffrey Matthews (18-16) 180 2-0, John Elder (19-18) 180 2-0, Brian Elder 2-0, Darnell McCrory 2-0. Arrows - Robert Beggs 2-1.

Fairhill Bar 7, Greenhills 1: Fairhill - Denis Gault (21) 2-1, Colin Reid 2-0, Ryan Gault (23) 2-0, Richard Rainey (19-19) 2-0, Steven Rock (21) 2-1, Trevor Turtle 2-0, Ian Rainey (21) 82 finish 2-0. Greenhills - Steven McIlroy (22) 2-1.

Clough Rangers 1, BT/PO Club 7: Clough - Mervyn Gage (21) 2-0. BT/PO - Gary Gilmour (19) 2-0, Tommy Wallace 2-0, Geoff McIlveen 2-0, John Bamber (20) 2-0, Glenn Gilmour 2-0, Mike Stubbs (19-17) 2-0, Billy Gay (16) 180 2-1.

Towers Tavern 5, Fountain Bar 3: Towers - Noel Craig (21) 2-1, Trevor Johnston (20) 2-0, Ian Reynolds (21-22) 180 2-0, Colin McCaughren (21) 2-1, Matthew McDowell 2-0. Fountain - Johnny Russell 2-0, Willie Russell 2-0, Jerome Carson (17) 2-1.

DIVISION TWO

Slemish Tavern 7, Minnesota Club 1: Slemish - Adie Graham (22) 2-0, Chris Ramsey 106 finish 2-1, Paul Adams (24) 2-1, Ian Millar (21-23) 2-0, Joe Kidd 2-0, George Barr (22) 2-0, Willie McBurney 2-1. Minnesota - Craig McCartney 2-0.

Buffs Club 4, Knockeden Lodge 4: Buffs - Alan Service 2-0, Darren Purdy 2-0, Thomas Purdy 2-0 , Willie Greer 2-0. Knockeden - Joan Campbell 2-1, Davy McKinney (23) 94 finish 2-0, Roberta McFall 2-1, Jim Campbell (23) 2-0.

Central Arms 3, Michelin Club 5: Central - Steven Eaton (23) 2-1, Neil Marshall (21) 2-0, George McDowell (20) 2-0. Michelin - Clifford Marcus 2-1, Brian Hanna 2-0, Steven Johnston 2-0, Henry Eagleson 2-1, Norman Kerr (24-24) 2-0.

Horse & Jockey 6, Coach Bar 2: Horse - Sammy Givens 2-0, John Bamber 2-0, Hugh Finlay 2-1, Darren Nelson 2-0, Paul Shirley 2-0, Lisa Maternaghan 2-0. Coach - Philip McKernohan 2-1, Dean Robinson 2-1.

FIXTURES

League fixtures for this Friday, October 29, are:

Division One: Fountain Arrows v Social Club; Greenhills Bar v Ladysmith; BT/PO Club v Drifters; Fountain Bar v Fairhill Bar; Towers Tavern v Clough Rangers.

Division Two: Central Swifts v Slemish Tavern; Knockeden Lodge v Minnesota; Coach Bar v Buffs Club; Horse & Jockey v Central Arms. Bye – Michelin.

RE-ARRANGED MATCHES

The Michelin Club v Knockeden Lodge and Fountain Arrows matches have been rearranged for November 5.

No new date has yet been fixed for the Greenhills Bar v Towers Tavern match.

Clubs are reminded that the secretary must be notified of any date changes.

Hugh Finlay will be looking after the Secretary's job when he is away all score sheets must be handed into the Fountain Bar so he can collect them at the right time.

LEAGUE MEETING

The next meeting of the BHDDL will be held on Monday, November 1, at 8.25pm in the BT/PO Club.