Champions knocked out in cup opener

Both teams, however, had a less happy experience in the Knockout Cup, with both exiting in the first round.

In the pick of the first round matches Potters travelled to Antrim but found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline.

Ryan McQuillan’s opening frame win over Marc Hutchinson added to draws for John O’Reilly and Jamie Martin and Jordan Browns earlier win gave Pistols the frames they needed to advance to a quarter-final trip to Allstars.

Sammy Walker’s side had a disappointing league season but they still managed to edge past Potters Elite by a 5-3 scoreline.

Shaw Williamson defeated Lee Hull 2-0 in what proved to be the decisive match after Sammy Walker, Adrian McGonagle and Leonard McConnachie had secured draws.

In Ballymena Parochial Lions continued their good form this season as they ended Minnesota Rockets interest in the Knockout Cup with a 5-3 win in the Minnesota club.

Dennis Curran, Shane Moody and Gregory Bryans all gained draws for Ronnie McCart’s team with Richard Russell’s 2-0 win over Billy Millar being enough to put the Lions into the Quarter Finals.

Lions opponents in the Quarter Final will be Potters Hotshots who ousted their clubmates Seagulls Potters in a tight match in Coleraine with team captain Willie Eakin’s 2-0 win over Ivan Boreland being the deciding factor.

In Antrim Dunloy United secured a home Quarter Final tie with Parochial Hawks after a 5-1 success over 147 Antrim.

Martin Crawley and Cathaoir Cunning both recorded 2-0 wins for United before Michael Crilly’s draw with Robin McCaughey eased the North Antrim men through to the next round.