Unfancied teams make running in division three

All Saints and First Ballymena have traditionally occupied positions in the lower half of the bottom tier in recent seasons, but both teams are enjoying a change in fortunes this time around.

For 'First', who finished bottom of the table by some distance last year, the turnaround has been particularly marked and they added to their tally with a four-point haul from their home game against Eaton Park, who saw their unbeaten record end in a low-scoring 29-27 scoreline.

Just 27 shots were scored in the first half, which saw the church side two points to the good thanks to wins from Roland Woods and David McQuitty, against John Carruthers and George Reid.

The cagey nature of the match continued after the break, and although Bonar Hill revived Eaton's hopes, 'First' grabbed another point when Jean Mullan edged out Gary Shaw 6-5.

All Saints also added four points to their tally with a 12-shot win over Glenravel.

The Glensfolk actually led by a shot at the break thanks to Martin O'Neill's 11-7 win over Paddy Martin, while Jock McKay grabbed a point for All Saints with a one-shot win over Niall Sands.

But there was only one team in the second half as Bridie McReynolds overcame Daniel Higgins by nine shots, while Eugene McReynolds had eight shots to spare over Seamus McKeown.

Golf Seniors were another team to notch four points, thereby surpassing their total for the season in one evening.

Their victims were St Mary's Portglenone, with first half wins for Ivan McMaster and Charlie Law putting the golfers in the driving seat.

John Nichols added to the visitors' dominance in the second half with a 12-4 win over Charlie Graham but the dependable Paul Webb ensured St Mary's at least took a point with an 11-4 win over Donald Smyth.