POOL: Forge and McNulty's share the spoils

Mark Hutchinson started well for the visitors as he got the better of Darren Boyd in two frames, which both players had chances aplenty but neither was at their best. McNulty's doubled their lead as the pairing of Davy Tosh and Damien Reid produced a good break and finish in the first, before taking advantage of some slack play by Raymond Baxter and Ady Toner in the second.

Tosh then won his singles match, taking a good finish out in the first, before opponent Lee Hull replied with a solid frame. Hull looked in control in the decider as Tosh ran out of position but an outrageous fluke swung the game in the McNulty's man's favour and he put his team three in front.

Neville Smyth started the fightback for the Forge as he defeated Aaron Moffatt. They shared the first two frames, which were very scrappy, Moffatt had a good chance in the decider but missed his last yellow by a long way, Smyth stepped up and made no mistake. Smyth continued his good form into the doubles, as he and Willie Eakin, recovered from losing the first frame to a break and finish by Hutchinson and Willie Boreland, to take the next two with some great tactical play.

Andy Park showed some great form in the next singles match, taking out a good finish in the first, Eakin hung the black in the second but still looked favourite to take, however Park had other ideas and he produced a super finish under immense pressure. Raymond Baxter ensured the match went to the last game as he took advantage of Willie Boreland missing key pots in both frames to run out a comfortable 2-0 winner.

Baxter teamed up with Lee Hull in the final doubles match, and the Forge pairing played some great stuff, taking out an 8-ball finish in the first, before taking advantage of an in off by Andy Park in the second to grab a point for their side.

McNulty's B 2-5 Sperrin

The Sperrin moved two points clear at the top of Division One with a hard fought victory over McNulty's B. Tommy Morrow continued his recent blistering form with a display of clinical finishing which was second to none, on his way to victory over Allen Tosh.

Morrow doubled up, as he teamed with Lee Caulfield just getting the better of Dijon McCorkell and Chris Wade in three tight frames. The leaders went three in front as Billy Moore came from a frame down to take the next two against Chris Wade, although neither player was at their best.

Gavin McClements finally got McNulty's on the board as he took out two great finishes to beat Sperrin captain Raymond Stockman. McClements also won his doubles match to single handedly bring his team back into the match, as he teamed up with Scott McClelland. The McNulty's pairing showed some great form for an impressive victory over Moore and Lee Caulfield. The next was a very poor match between Davy Logue and Lee Caulfield, as neither player could find any sort of rhythm, but after three torturous frames, Caulfield pulled through.

Paul O’Connor sealed the win for the Sperrin as he allowed Stephen Warwick to pot himself into bother before grinding the McNulty’s man down.

Scott’s Bar 8-0 Mary Craig’s

Scott’s were handed this victory as Mary Craig’s only showed up with three players. It is possible to fulfil a fixture with three players, however the Mary Craig’s players decided they did not wish to play the match and gave the points to Scott’s.

Division 2

Montra 5-2 Railway Arms

The Montra are well on course to securing the Division Two title as they moved eight points clear with this comfortable victory over their nearest rivals. Barry McLaughlin got them off to the perfect start as he beat Adam Leonard in two quickfire frames.

McLaughlin then teamed up with Paul Ramsey and they proved too strong for Chris Baxter and Ryan Dunlop. Captain Arthur McMullan could not stop the rot as he failed to show his true capabilities, Ryan Tosh putting his team three in front. Wahib Ziani finally got the Arms on the scoreboard as he beat Montra captain Johnny Goldie in three frames.

Ziani doubled up as he teamed up with Arthur McMullan tp beat Stephen Ramsey and Damien Hollinger, getting their team back into the match. However, the fightback was shortlived as Steven Ramsey came through a tight encounter against Chris Baxter, before Damien Hollinger also just scraped by Ronnie McMullan to give the Montra an excellent victory and leave the Arms title chances in tatters.

Roost B 2-5 Forge B

The Forge B are now only two points off second place as they followed up last week’s good victory over Montra, with another impressive display.

Steven McIlroy produced his true form in the opener as he strolled to an easy win over Victor Boyd. McIlroy kept it going in the first doubles match, as he kept William Boyce right, to record another comfortable victory over Tommy McDonald and Keith Hunter.

Roost’s new signing Garry Ferris had a good battle with Andy Hutchinson, but the Forge man just about pulled through, denying the debutant his victory. Keith Hunter, possibly this division’s best player on current form, was just too good for Corey Sweeney to get the first win for his team.

Rodney Leighton and George Cameron put their team back into the match as they beat Sweeney and Danny McCullough, with a couple of flukes in the decider. In the battle of the captains, Kieran Doherty and Tommy McDonald shared good finishes in the first two frames, before the Forge man produced another cracking finish in the decider. William Boyce sealed the win with a typically steady performance to beat George Cameron.

Sperrin B 5-2 Roost A

John Sweeney defeated Charlie Speight in straight frames to set his team on their way. Peter McMullan and Ryan Sweeney doubled the lead as they were too strong for Bertie Hutchinson and Clive Robertson. Steven Spence and Dean Kane produced the best match of the night, both players battled hard, but Spence just came out on top.

Glen Hutchinson got the first win for the visitiors with another good performance against Andy Lindsay. Hutchinson then teamed up with Kane, and they just got the better of Spence and Steven Blair. Blair was much better in singles action as he beat Willis Hutchinson is straight frames, before Peter McMullan wrapped up the win.

Mary Craig’s Top 6 Competition

The first round draw for this mid season knockout competition between the top sides in each division paired the top two in a mouthwatering first round clash. Sperrin went two in front as Paul O’Connor won the first singles match, before Tommy Morrow and Billy Moore followed up in the first scotch doubles match.

Morrow followed this up with two 8-ball finishes to beat Davy Tosh in quickfire fashion. Mark Hutchinson pulled McNulty’s back into things as he won both his singles match and his doubles match, alongside Willie Boreland. Lee Caulfield then put the Sperrin one from victory, but Boreland ensured it went to the final match with a good in over Billy Moore.

Sperrin captain Raymond Stockman partnered O’Connor in the final match and the pairing controlled matters to put their team into the next round, where they will meet the winners of this week’s contest between Forge A and Railway Arms.

Roost Bottom 6 Competition

Forge B 3-5 Sperrin B

This first round match looked a tight affair on paper and so it proved. Steven Spence won the first singles match, before teaming up with Ryan Sweeney to take the second.

Andy Hutchinson and Kieran Doherty then levelled the match with victories in their singles matches. Hutchinson and Steven McIlroy then won the second doubles match to put Forge in front. Peter McMullan and Steven Blair then swung the match back in the Sperrin’s favour to put them 4-3 in front.

It looked like we were heading for a play off as Kieran Doherty and Andy Hutchinson won the first frame, but Blair and John Sweeney produced a great fightback to put the Sperrin through.

They will now meet the winner of this week’s encounter between Roost A and Roost B for a place in the final.