Kyle inspires Larne to victory over Ballymena

Andy Kyle and Paul Robinson discuss tactics at Glenarm Road against Ballymena. INLT 33-248-AM

Larne Bowling Club’s senior team defeated Irish Cup finalists Ballymena on Saturday.

The 5-2 (87-78) result effectively ended Ballymena’s Private Greens League Division 1 title challenge, but keeps Larne hot on the heels of leaders Old Bleach, who fell to an unlikely defeat at Willowfield.

Alan McLean played well through the early ends and soon built a healthy 15-3 lead after seven.

The Larne rink continued to dominate and were 21-11 up with six ends to play. The visitors moved up several gears and had levelled the game going into the final end.

Larne lay shot with the visiting skip playing his final bowl but he produced a perfect drive to kill the head and, despite McLean’s best efforts, he lost the replayed end for a disappointing 21-24 defeat.

On rink two Andy Kyle gave a masterclass against his old team to lead 11-2 at the halfway stage.

Nigel Todd and Simon Bell played superbly at the frontend to build good heads for their international skip to exploit.