EXTRA SPECIAL!

While the major trophies at tournaments in this area have tended in recent years to go to bowlers from outside the borough, it was a Ballymena duo who landed the first prize.

Andy Duncan and Nigel Robinson, of Ballymena United Social Club won a thrilling final, beating Lee Harrison - winner of the Killymurris Glarryford singles earlier in the season - and Robert Allen, of Limavady CRFC after an extra end.

It was the BUSC pair who took an early lead going 4-1 up after three ends.

The Limavady pair hit back and won the next 3 ends to lead by 3 shots but the BUSC pair lifted a count of ‘3’ on the seventh end to level the game at 7-7.

Scores were still level after the regulation 10 ends and so an extra end was needed to decide the final.

The game appeared to be favouring the Limavady Pair who lay game with only one bowl remaining, however Duncan played an excellent shot with his last delivery to claim victory for the Ballymena pair in what was an excellent final and a great advert for short mat bowls.

Earlier, in the quarter-finals, Steven Shields/Andrew Armstrong (Clough Rangers B.C.) bt Joe McErlean/Patsy Boorman (Portglenone C.C.); Harrison/Allen (Limavady C.R.F.C.) bt Matthew Boyd/Megan Wilson (Michelin); Duncan/Robinson (Ballymena U.S.C) bt Martin Craig/Trevor McAlonan (Broughshane P.F.A.); and Brian McAlary/Nicky McCaw (2nd Kilrea) bt William Morrison/David Morrison (1st Ahoghill).

In the semi-finals, Harrison/Allen bt McAlary/McCaw and Duncan/Robinson bt Shields/Armstrong.

The finals night brought he curtain down on a busy week of qualifying nights.

The tournamwnt was sponsored by Smallcost Carpets and another local business who wished to remain anonymous.

Prizes were presented by Sammy Small (Smallcost Carpets) and Michael Wilson (Tournament Organiser) thanked all who had helped in making this a very successful tournament.