Aces let lead slip at 'Sota - but retain top spot

In Division One, Fountain Aces remain top after returning home with a share of the spoils from their trip to Minnesota B.

The Antrim men will probably feel less satisfied with the draw having been 2-0 up at one stage. Leonard Clewer saw off Davy Swann in straight frames and captain Liam Kelly did likewise against William Dobbin despite needing a snooker with only pink and black left in the opening frame.

It was looking grim for Minnesota B when Stephen McFall trailed Aidan Bradley 17-66 in the deciding frame but the League treasurer, making a rare appearance on the green baize, rallied with a 33 break which broke down at the green.

Aidan then failed to put the green safe and Stephen mopped up the remaining colours to secure an unlikely point for his side. On the other table Division One Individual runner up Glen Craig secured a second point for Minnesota with a hard fought win over Anthony Watson.

Reigning league champions Minnesota A were in action in the All Ireland Club Championships in Killarney and therefore their game at Dunloy Galaxy was rescheduled for a later date.

Rafters Runners took advantage of ‘Sota’s inactivity to propel themselves up in second place with a 3-1 win over Dunloy United.

Runners’ talented team were pushed all the way by a Dunloy side still seeking its first league victory. Brendan McTaggart put United ahead with an impressive win over Richard Clyde before Lee Corr and Dylan Murray turned things round for the Ballymoney men with deciding frame victories over Michael Crilly and Paul Kelly respectively. Sean Gray then secured a third point for Runners with a win over Martin Crawley.

With five rounds of matches remaining, only three points separate fourth placed Minnesota A from leaders Fountain Aces with Rafters Runners and Minnesota B sandwiched in between.

Meanwhile in Division Two, Rafters Potters’ title bid continues to gain momentum.

For the second successive week, Paddy McCook’s side picked up a maximum four points. This week’s victims were Parochial Hawks who saw their own hopes of the Division Two title suffer a serious setback.

Lee Gibson put the Potters in front with a three frame win over Pat McNally then McCook defeated an out of sorts Niall McElroy and Ryan O’Doherty beat visiting captain Danny McGarry, both in straight frames.

Mark Heggarty secured what could yet prove to be a vital fourth point for the Potters with a win on the black in the deciding frame against Paul Casey.

In Antrim, previous league leaders Fountain Aces were held to a 2-2 draw by visiting Rafters Hotshots.

The Brammeld brothers, Calvin and Darrell, secured the two points for the hosts with Paddy Hargin and Sammy Shirley ensuring the Hotshots wouldn’t leave Antrim empty handed with wins in the deciding frame against Joe Bingham and Nathan Curtis respectively.

Dunloy Cowboys returned to winning ways with a 3-1 success at Parochial Lions.

Gerard McAuley continued his recent good form with a good win over Rodney McAleese, having dropped the opening frame. Cowboys captain Aidan McErlaine put the visitors in control with victory in two black ball fights with Dennis Curran.

Randal McDonnell then battled past league chairman Ronnie McCart before Billy Goodall got the Lions on the scoreboard with a win against John Joe O'Neill.

In Ballymoney, league new boys 147 Rockets looked on course for their first league win when Robert Hamilton and Richard Hayes put them two in front at Rafters Aces but Jimmy Davidson and Kevin Clarke hit back to secure the draw for the Ballymoney side and keep the Rockets waiting for that so far elusive first victory.

DIVISION ONE

Dunloy United 1, Rafters Runners 3: (45] B McTaggart 2, (20] R Clyde 0 (70-43, 72-53); (55] M Crilly 0 (30], L Corr 2 (51-62, 68-19, 52-68); (65] P Kelly 1, (15] D Murray 2; (90-49, 60-80, 54-88); (25] M Crawley 0, (10] S Gray 2 (44-69, 53-77).

Minnesota B 2, Fountain Aces 2: (35] W Dobbin 0, (20] L Kelly 2 (70-71, 28-70); (20] D Swann 0, (45] L Clewer 2 (60-77, 48-80); (30] S McFall 2, (55] A Bradley 1 (73-53, 59-66, 75-66); (15] G Craig 2, (50] A Watson 0 (73-50, 73-64).

DIVISION TWO

Rafters Potters 4, Parochial Hawks 0: (35] L Gibson 2 (60] P McNally 1 (24-55, 58-32, 74-35); (55] P McCook 2, (50] N McElroy 0 (48-39, 50-14); (45] R O'Doherty 2, (55] D McGarry 0 (69-22, 65-45); (50] M Heggarty 2, (45] P Casey 1 (67-24, 35-65, 64-57).

Parochial Lions 1, Dunloy Cowboys 3: (35] R McAleese 1, (55] G McAuley 2 (52-35, 35-63, 48-68); (75] D Curran 0, (75] A McErlaine 2 (48-51, 52-59); (80] R MccCart 0, (25] R McDonnell 2 (58-74, 70-85); (75] B Goodall 2 (60] JJ O'Neill 0 (58-20, 56-29).

Fountain Jokers 2, Rafters Hotshots 2: (55] D Brammeld 2, (60] R Maxwell 0 (60-51, 52-51); (50] J Bingham 1,(60] P Hargin 2 (45-46, 53-41, 40-52); (45] C Brammeld 2, (60] G Kirkpatrick 0 (58-50, 75-29); (65] N Curtis 1, (60] S Shirley 2 (37-49, 60-41, 23-52).

Rafters Aces 2, 147 Rockets 2: (50] P Hunter 0, (50] R Hamilton 2 (40-48, 0-77); (45] B Moore 0, (55] R Hayes 2 (49-58, 33-69); (55] J Davidson 2, (55] T Magill 1 (50-19, 15-57, 57-24); (55] K Clarke 2, (65] S French 0 (65-25, 53-41).

LEAGUE DOUBLES

Next Monday, February 15, sees the start of the Doubles competition in the Minnesota club.

Team captains are asked to contact the League Secretary with the names of the players taking part in this competition.

Captains are also asked to make their players aware that matches in the competition may extend beyond the Monday night.

The final is scheduled for Friday, February 19.