Ballymena on the 'Money

It will sit proudly along side the PGL Senior Cup, won a few weeks back, following an equally tense win over NICS at Larne.

Their league challenge may have dropped off the radar following last week’s shattering defeat by Dunbarton, but Ballymena were in no mood to suffer a double dose of disappointment.

They set about their opponents with right from the off – with Stephen Coleman and Jim Baker leading the charge.

Baker and his young guns, David Torrington, Andrew Bonnar and Andy Duncan, roared into a 9-0 lead against Aidan Reid, Martin McAleese, Ken Shirley and Alistair Steele.

Coleman, with Stephen Falls, Jimmy Hodges and Sammy Allen, in his rink racked up seven without reply after five ends against Nicky McCaw.

Andy Kyle also made a positive start. With Stephen Shields, JR Nicholl and Mark Torrington on board, the Ballymena skip established 8-4 lead over Willie McCaw.

Ballymoney were clinging on at this stage with Gary Kelly edging ahead of Nigel Robinson – albeit by only one shot (5-4).

Ballymena were still in control at the 10th end, with 15 shots separating the teams – Baker’s lead was cut to four shots and Coleman to six. But Kyle moved five clear.

Robinson, playing with Jonathan Millar, Graham Wilson and Andy Morrison, tied things up (7-7) with Kelly.

The Ballymoney revival was well and truly under way, however, at the 15th end – with only four shots the difference across the green (56-52).

Willie McCaw’s rink of Brian Hughes, James Martin and Brian McAlary was doing most of the damage, moving 19-13 ahead.

Baker again lost ground, leading by only three, but the consistent Coleman and Robinson were doing their bit as the big Belmont crowed sensed a tense finish.

With Baker and Coleman ‘home’ with respective 17-13 and 25-19 wins, Robinson and Gary Kelly were next off and, not surprisingly, finished level after a hectic battle (16-16).

It was left to McCaw and Kyle to settle the issue – and the destination of the trophy.

Although trailing 25-18, Kyle, picked up the single required to haul his team past the winning post.

“The club waited 100 years for the first IBA Cup win back in 2008 – now we’ve done it again,” said Ballymena’s Graham Wilson. “Ironically, we also won the PGL Cup that year.

“Although we were disappointed at losing out in the league, the club has had a great year with the double cup success.

“We got off to a great start but Ballymoney clawed back – and actually led at one stage. They certainly had the momentum with them.

“Perhaps, in the past, we would have cracked under pressure, and maybe dropped our heads.

“But the lads showed great battling qualities. Stephen Coleman’s rink in particular came on strong over the final few ends, picking up six shots over the 18th, 19th and 20th ends.”

Meanwhile, Old Bleach opened the champagne after winning the IBA Junior Cup.

However, two extra ends were required before the Randalstown boys eventually snuffed out the challenge of brave Dunbarton, winning 74-72.