Hilden reach PG Cup semi-final

It is a long time since Hilden last reached a Cup semi-final, but they did it against the odds last Thursday night and in comfortable fashion.
Bowling action between Hilden and Ballywalter US2616-403PM Pic by Paul MurphyBowling action between Hilden and Ballywalter US2616-403PM Pic by Paul Murphy
Bowling action between Hilden and Ballywalter US2616-403PM Pic by Paul Murphy

They made the long journey to Ballymena to face the town’s B team in the quarter final. Against the odds they gained a 13 shots win over the team who play along with them in Division 2.

It doesn’t get any easier though as next stop on Thursday, July 23 will see them face one of the Cup favourites, Ballymena A, at a neutral venue, yet to be named.

Many will see it as “mission impossile’’, but in a season which has saw many “underdogs’’ produce the surprises Hilden may hope to produce one of their own.

oward McMullan’s rink came up with the big win and they were in control from the start, leading 12-6 at the tenth and 21-12 at 15 ends before pulling away to a 14 shots win.

A three, four, three gave Trevor Gray a great start to lead 18-5 at the tenth but Roy Torrington pulled back to 20-15 by 15 ends. Gray’s boys came back with four and three to win by eight shots.

Down 4-17 at the tenth Keith Morrison came back to 10-19 at 15 ends and held on to that deficit when losing by ten shots.

Ahead 11-7 at the tenth but falling back to 14-13 at 15 ends Jonathan Gray then pulled away again to win by three shots.

J. Coulter 15, M. McQuillan, J. Williams, C. Montgomery, H. McMullan 29; R.Torrington 20, N. Marsden, D. Sloan, R. Keag, T. Gray 28; J. Lynn 23, W. Scott, R. Gourley, E. Marsden, K. Morrison 13; S. Allen 19, A. Carlisle, J. Liggett, J. McMullan, J. Gray 22.

Hilden pick up precious home points

Hilden 75 (5)

Ballywalter 63 (2)

When these two teams met at the start of the season Ballywalter were easy winners, but on this occasion Hilden eased to a 12 shots home win in Private Greens Division 2.

A four helped Trevor Gray to a 10-6 lead at the tenth and 13-7 at 15 ends before getting home by 11 shots.

Down 9-13 at the tenth Jonathan Gray came back to 16-18 at 15 ends, but slipped back in the closing ends to lose by five shots.

At the tenth Keith Morrison was 10-5 ahead and he added four and three at 15 ends to lead 18-8 before winning by 15 shots.

Down 6-10 at the tenth and 10-16 at b15 ends Howard McMullan lost by nine shots.

N. Marsden, D. Sloan, R. Keag, T. Gray 20, R. Massey 9; A. Carlisle, J. Liggett, J. McMullan, J. Gray 19, A. Davidson 24; W. Scott, R. Gourley, E. Marsden, K. Morrison 24, J. Norman 9; M. McQuillan, J. Williams, C. Montgomery, H. McMullan 12, S. Hedley 21.

Belmont D L/O Hilden B

Hilden B received a walkover away to Belmont D in Private Greens Division as the home team could not field.

Hilden take seven points.

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