Nelson Cup success for Killymurris Glarryford bowlers

Having been some distance off the pace in the title race, Glarryford at least had the consolation of winning the Nelson Cup last week.

They beat Connor by seven shots in the final, played at Second Broughshane church hall, thanks largely to a power-packed first half performance which left their opponents too much to do after the break.

The final was played under its traditional format of all four rinks being in action at the same time, playing their opponents over seven ends before the rinks are redrawn for another seven end tussle after the break.

By the halfway mark, Killymurris already appeared to have one hand on the trophy, having amassed a healthy 17-shot lead, thanks largely to the efforts of the rinks skipped by Mark McCullough and James McWhirter, who restricted opponents David Elliott and Leslie White to just a single shot each, while the other two first half match-ups finished all square.

Connor made an good fist of it after the break, with John Elliott, Leslie White and David Elliott skipping their rinks to victory but, alas, Connor could only trim 10 shots off the deficit.

Killymurris weren’t the only winners on the night as designated charities Muckamore Abbey and George Sloan centre were each presented with cheques for £650.

First half - Killymurris Glarryford 31, Connor 14: M McCullough 11, D Elliott 1; J McWhirter 8, L White 1; S Dunlop 5, J Elliott 5; I DUnlop 7, T Hill 7.

Second half - Killymurris Glarryford 22, Connor 32: S Dunlop 8, T Hill 6; I Dunlop 7, J Elliott 10; M McCullough 3, L White 6; J McWhirter 4, D Elliott 10.

Overall total - Killymurris Glarryford 53, Connor 46.

For all the latest Churches League results and standings, see this week’s Ballymena Times.