Bowls: Larne climb up to second spot in Division One table

The Glenarm Road men won by a massive 45 shots but, more significantly, took all seven points and sit second - just two points off the top.

Despite failing to win a game this season, Ewarts sat just above the relegation zone going into this one.

Larne were missing Andy Kyle – who was away on international duty, Jason Kerr, Andrew Robinson and Raymond Lyness.

Ian Semple and Alan Mairs came in as leads for new skip Paul Robinson and Alan McLean respectively, giving Simon Bell and Darren Witherspoon outings at third on their rinks.

Eddie Wilson stepped up to third for his regular skip Michael Murphy, and Joe McRandal came in at second on this rink.

David McRandal’s regular four edged into an early lead but the opposition lengthened the jack and went ahead. Good jack throwing from Brian Smyth allowed McRandal’s men to reassert and they went nine up, but back came the opposition to tie the game with four ends to play. A strong finish, with Gavin Johnston in top form at third, meant David was able to take the remaining ends for a 26-16 win.

McLean’s frontend duo of Mairs and Stephen Dalrymple had a great game and allowed their talented backend to control the game and the domiant quartet were good value for their 31-14 result.

Paul Robinson’s charges were involved in a ding-dong tussle from start to finish. The lead changed hands throughout and Robinson found himself one down going into the final end. Todd drew close and Simon Bell drew closer to leave Robinson lying game. The opposition skip drove and missed, and Robinson was delighted to keep his rink’s winning run intact 22-21.

In the final game Murphy’s men found themselves 0-4 after four ends. The next 17 ends belonged to the Larne rink as they all played well for a runaway 26-9 success. Larne have another home game next Saturday, before the mid-season break, against fellow challengers Belmont. It should be a good one!

Results: Larne 90 (6.5) v Willowfield 65 (0.5); Larne 104 (7) v Ewarts 60 (0).

Next fixture: Belmont (home), July 4.