The Forge Bar from Coleraine, Captained by big Willie Eakin, have won the Willie Lucas Memorial Super 7s Competition at the Park Plaza Hotel. 9 Teams entered giving us 3 groups of 3, from which the 3 winners and the best runner up qualified for the Semi Final stage. But it could have been so different for the Coleraine lads if they hadn't of come from behind to beat the Rocktans from Carrick in an exciting last frame decider for an 11-10 win in Group 3. In Group 1 every team won one match but it was Antrim team Moes Grill under the Captaincy of Darren Clarke, who went through courtesy of a better frame difference. Group 2 was the clearest cut of all as Rab Fees, Antrim All Stars stormed through to the Semi Finals. The last Semi Final birth went to Castle from Carrick who edged out the Rocktans on frame difference. Forge never looked back after their 11-10 win and beat the fancied Antrim Allstars 11-5 in the Semis before completing a satisfying day with an 11-4 win over Castle. In the Plate Final, Darren Whiteside's Rocktans beat Mark Davidson's Horse Shoe Inn after overcoming Cliff Wilsons Ivy Inn from Newtownards and the Darren Sterretts Kingfisher Bar from Bangor.
But the day was all about remembering Willie (pictured above right), and it was great to have his partner Gillian and her son James present to hand over the prizes. The winning teams all made great gestures donating a large sum to the "Willie Lucas NICH&S Fund", Rocktans £100, Castle £100 and Forge Bar £120. Sara Greenberg of NI Ladies donated her £10 prize money from the Semi Final of the flyer Competition also.
Pictured below right, Forge Bar Captain Willie Eakin receives the winners prize from Gillian and James.
The lead of the 15 to 1 Competition which will conclude Sunday, is shared by Sam Newell and Dee Irwin, both on 49 points.
The Easter Hamper ballot was won by David Kerr of Antrim
The £50 Flyer Competition prize was won by Rab Fee of Antrim who beat Paddy Lynch of Maghera in the Final. Paddy received £30.
Group 1
Moes Grill 9-12 Horse Shoe Inn
Kingfisher 5-16 Moes Grill
Horse Shoe Inn 9-12 Kingfisher
Group 2
Castle 8-13 Antrim Allstars
Co.Antrim Ladies 1-20 Castle
Antrim Allstars 21-0 Co.Antrim Ladies
Group 3
Forge Bar 11-10 Rocktans
Rocktans 16-5 Ivy Inn
Ivy Inn 4-13 Forge Bar
Semi Finals
Forge Bar 11-5 Antrim Allstars
Castle 11-6 Moes Grill
Final
Forge Bar 11-4 Castle
Plate Preliminary
Rocktans 8-2 Ivy Inn
Plate Semi Finals
Rocktans 8-6 Kingfisher
Horse Shoe Inn 8-4 Co.Antrim Ladies
Plate Final
Rocktans 8-0 Horse Shoe Inn
