Keith's finish starts Hilden Rinks in style

In an all-local opening ties the rinks of Keith Morrison and Jim Kinkead produced plenty of fireworks with the score continually fluctuating, usually by doubles.

In the end Kinkead, trailing at 15 ends, picked up a double to lead by two. Valley were still lying two before Hilden’s Keith Morrison snatched a win thanks to a few “wicks’’ which gave him a one shot success.

On the same night Noel Graham, Lisnagarvey, had to battle all the way before getting a narrow win over Jeff Fawcus, Lagan Valley.

The holder, Terry Crawford, Mossley, coasted through the first round, but fell to Hilden’s Raymond Gourley.

Morrison had a win over Bobby Carroll, Lisnagarvey, but fell to Joe Green, Shaftesbury.

Nigel Hamilton, Banbridge had an easy opening success before winning the quarter final against Noel Graham.

Howard McMullan, chalked up another good win for Hilden, when beating Eddie Crawford, Mossley.

Howard McMullan continued his progress with a good win over Eddie Crawford and Shaftesbury’s Jimmy Green beat Andy Hughes.

On Friday night Colin Montgomery narrowly lost to Michael Bunting in the remaining quarter final.

The past week can be summarised through the tournament and plate semi-final draws which were played last Monday night.

Tournament: Howard McMullan Hilden v Nigel Hamilton Banbridge, Michael Bunting Lurgan v Jimmy Green Shaftesbury.

Plate: Hugh Murray Hilden v Bobby Carroll Lisnagarvey, Mike Reid Hilden v John Liggett Hilden.

The finals of the tournament will be played tonight (Friday) at 6.30pm.