Craigs spring Nelson Cup surprise in Churches League

Craigs sprang an upset in the knockout competition to eliminate Ahoghill at the quarter-final stage last week, after an impressive 11-shot victory.

William Herbison’s rink drew particular plaudits for the Cullybackey side with a stunning 19-3 victory over Tom Morrison.

Craigs will now face a semi-final date with Killymurris Glarryford, who defeated Clough ‘A’ by 12 shots.

The other semi-final pits Buckna against Killymurris Carnlea, who pipped Cuningham ‘B’ by a single shot in a thrilling tussle.

In the league, First Ahoghill gave themselves some breathing space at te top with two more wins, although First Broughshane continue to put pressure on the champions.

LEAGUE

First Ahoghill 39 (4), Cullybackey Methodist ‘A’ 26 (1): T Morrison 9, T Rock 4; W Morrison 10, J Gage 5; A Morrison 10, C Ramsey 6; D Morrison 10, N Peacock 11.

Second Broughshane B 33 (2.5), Ballymena Methodist 32 (2.5): J McBurney 5, M Arbuthnut 8; J Currie 8, A Bacon 8; N Graham 12, J Simms 3; A Millar 8, R Dickson 13.

Second Broughshane A 26 (1), First Broughshane 39 (4): H Henry 6, D Calderwood 13; J Turtle 8, T McClintock 10; M Montgomery 8, A Davidson 5; C Turtle 4, S Shields 11.

Cullybackey Methodist B 25 (2), St Patrick’s Ballymena 34 (3): R McLean 12, A Agnew 5; W Reid 2, D McCullough 14; A Reid 7, D McNeill 5; T Gage 4, J Smith 10.

Cullybackey Methodist A 36 (4), Second Broughshane A 24 (1): N Peacock 9, M Montgomery 4; C Ramsey 6, WJ Surgenor 9; T Rock 9, H Henry 6; J Gage 12, J Turtle 5.

St Patrick’s Ballymena 31 (2), Cuningham A 39 (3): J Smith 7, A Smith 8; S Smith 11, C Millar 10; D McCullough 8, D Stewart 6; A Agnew 5, S McKee 15.

Harryville MF 36 (1.5), Buckna 40 (3.5): T Agnew 7, S Hamill 12; A Lowry 7, A Hamill 7; J Patterson 15, A McCullough 7; B Craig 7, J Reid 14.

Killymurris Carnlea 32 (1), Cloughwater 46 (4): D McCullough 13, G Kirk 7; D Kernohan 7, A Adams 12; J Campbell 4, W Adams 16; W Crawford 8, D Turtle 11.

Connor 28 (1.5), Ballymena Methodist 41 (3.5): L White 4, M Arbuthnut 9; J Elliott 7, A Bacon 7; D Elliott 10, R Dickson 8; T Hill 7, B Millar 17.

First Ahoghill 60 (5), Second Broughshane B 18 (0): T Morrison 12, W Barr 6; W Morrison 17, S Harper 5; A Morrison 13, A Millar 4; D Morrison 18, A Graham 3.

Glenwherry 31 (1.5), Killymurris Carnlea 41 (3.5): A Crawford 4, D McCullough 10; L Davidson 14, J Campbell 5; S Bonnar 3, D McCullough 16; S McIlwaine 10, W Crawford 10.

LEAGUE TABLE

First Ahoghill, played 17, points 68.5; First Broughshane 16-60; Buckna 17-54; Killymurris Carnlea 18-52.5; Cuningham Memorial B16-51.5; Grange 15-50.5; Cullybackey Methodist A 16-46; Connor 15-42; Craigs 16-41.5; Second Broughshane A 16-41; Killymurris Glarryford 16-41; Harryville MF 18-40; Glenwherry 15-37.5; Clough A 17-35.5; Cloughwater 13-33.5; High Kirk 17-33.5; Cuningham Memorial A 17-32.5; St Patrick’s Ballymena 17-32; Ballymena Methodist 13-31.5; Cullybackey Methodist B 17-23; Second Broughshane B 15-22; Clough B 16-13.5.

NELSON CUP

Craigs 41, First Ahoghill 30: P Boyd 8, W Morrison 8; W Herbison 19, T Morrison 3; R Kirkpatrick 7, A Morrison 10; R Rodgers 7, D Morrison 9.

Killymurris Carnlea 38, Cuningham B 37: J Campbell 13, B Lynn 5; W Crawford 10, B Russell 7; Danny McCullough 11, J Kerr 6; D Kernohan 4, H Lynn 19.

Clough A 29, Killymurris Glarryford 41: D Wasson 9, I McMaster 11; J Wasson 7, S Dunlop 6; A Alexander 10, D Dunlop 6; W Stewart 3, J McWhirter 18.

CONCERT

Second Broughshane Bowling Club holds its annual concert on Saturday, March 9 (7.45pm).

Admission is £6 including supper. All welcome.