Social made to work hard for League Cup win

BUSC won the Ballymena and District League Cup for the sixth time last week - but not without a lot of hard work and a sweat!

The first division runners-up were massive favourites to land the trophy against Services 'A' - the first team from Division Two to reach the final for many years.

But even allowing for the 10-shot handicap advantage which Services received due to their second division status, there were a few frayed nerves before Social Club eventually prevailed by a two-shot margin, 40-38, in the final at Eaton Park.

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Social made a bright start and had all but eradicated their deficit by the interval.

That was largely due to Garfield Lithco's rink's 13-5 win over Pauline Wilson, which included a decisive blow of a '4' on the eighth end, to douse any hopes of a comeback by Pauline's rink.

It was much closer on the other mat where Uel Fleming's four prevailed 7-6 against George Beattie in a low-scoring encounter.

With Services starting the second half just a shot in front, the stage was set for a grandstand finish and the Trostan Avenue side boosted their chances with an 8-7 win for Bill Kitson over Bryan Magrath.

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Magrath looked on course for victory at 7-3 ahead but Kitson, who performed outstandingly, masterminded a superb finish of 3,1,1 over the last three ends to pinch the victory.

Crucially, however, in the wider context of the match, Magrath's final bowl, with Kitson lying two shots, cut the deficit down to one shot in Services' favour.

Social's victory was secured by a strong rink which featured regular skip Nigel Robinson playing at third to Richard Fleming.

They made a blistering start against Mark Shaw and a '3' on the first end followed by a '5' on the third end had them 12-2 up after six ends - a deficit which, although Mark's foursome played well, they were unable to close sufficiently.

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It was a game which went in fits and starts, with Social clawing back their initial deficit and then having just enough in store to see off a Services comeback which saw them gain 12 shots to Social's one over the last four ends of the match.

BUSC 40, Services 'A' (+10) 38: G Lithco 13, Pauline Wilson 5; U Fleming 7, G Beattie 6; B Magrath 7, B Kitson 8; R Fleming 13, M Shaw 9.

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