Legion shock Mulholland's in Premier Division

The team in question, Banbridge Legion, entertained visitors Mulholland's who travelled expecting to return to Dromore with no less than maximum points.

What a surprise they got when Legion propelled themselves into a 3-0 lead with wins for captain Lee Murray, Gareth Steenson and David Horner. The visitors managed to halt Legion in their tracks when Martin Mulholland pulled one back.

Once again the home team forged ahead with a win for Robbie Baird. With four games on the board they had made certain of at least a point, equalling their entire total for the season.

With three games remaining there was still time for Mulholland's to implement a rescue mission. The operation failed when Sid Kerr potted superbly to ensure and, this must not go understated, Legion’s first maximum points of the season. Perseverance has at long last paid off.

Whilst all the attention had been with the above mentioned match there was also the matter of a clash at the top of the table between second placed Higgins and division leaders Coach.

The tight match that was forecast became a certainty as after four games the teams were level. Such was the importance of the outcome of the match both sides then became more aware of not losing the points rather than going out to win them.

Coach thought they had done enough to win when Tom Moore and Barry McGeown gave them a 4-2 advantage. Previous Higgins sides may well have thrown in the towel at this stage, but not so this team as a league title is long overdue. With that in mind David Wilton and Brendan McGivern pulled out all the stops to ensure a share of the points. No ground lost or gained between the two teams.

The one team that could make ground was that of Castle Bar who found themselves one down to Market Bar after an unusual defeat for Greg Harper. That temporary set back was soon put right when Stevie Fitzpatrick potted his five of his remaining reds plus the black.

The outright lead was established with a total clearance of all the colours and black by Cecil Corbett, Tommy Hutchinson was the unfortunate recipient of the white coat.

Credit to both players in the fourth as it became an exhibition of how to employ snookers and safety with only four balls on the table. Gordy was the eventual winner for a 3-1 lead.

The fifth was equally as entertaining this time for the standard of dispensing colours. Thomas Harper came out on top to make it 4-1.

The prospect of Market winning the remaining games and a share of the points almost became a possibility in the sixth when Gareth Graham went on a charge potting five reds along the way. When the sixth caught the pocket jaw Connor McGarrell came to the table with a full quota. A few minutes later it was game set and match as he cleared the table to ease Castle into third place in the table, their highest position this season thus far.

Should the top two above them slip up - it has happened in the past - they are waiting in the wings for just such a steal.

February news now - The Leader Individuals tournament continues in the Coach Inn and reaches a conclusion next Monday when the quarter finals up to the final itself will be played.

Details of the Eddie Fearon memorial doubles tournament will be delivered during the month, see the press for details. The final of the first division knockout cup will be played in The Halfway House between Coach B and Castle Tavern.

During this month the Premier Division has a break in play, the previously postponed December match between Higgins and Anglers should take advantage of this break. Consult the fixture list for the exact date of the break

A McLean Bookmakers Premier Division

PlydPts

Coach1112

Higgins’1010

Castle Bar A 1110

Market Bar A 119

Mulholland’s 118

McGrath’s117

Anglers A107

Banbridge Legion 113

Planters 00