NEWCASTLE travelled full of hope, but with little realistic chance of troubling the Whitehead express, back on track after a pair of cup setbacks.
The big fish may upset East Antrim's pride on occasion, but they can still gobble up the Senior League's minnows.
Marty McHugh was rampant! Opening with a four in the first end, he built up to a massive seven on the seventh. A five on the tenth fi
nished the contest as a spectacle as the host four coasted in to a 28-9 victory.
Michael Crooks was action man personified at third, but the find of the night was Billy Browne, returning to peak condition at second. Jack Montgomery continues to hone his latent skills at lead.
The Caldwell four got back on track, after a couple of disappointing, below-par performances. Young Michael Crawford was given a rare outing at third and he rose to the occasion with aplomb and courage. At several dangerous moments, he showed his more experienced cohorts how important line and weight are if an awkward jack has to be reached.
Gradually, Newcastle crumbled under the sustained pressure and the 23-13 result was a true reflection of the class gap. Ian Stewart played at lead as Johnny O'Neill looked on longingly, not needed on this occasion.
JR Wilson was involved in a dramatic conflict with the Mourne men's Corrigan four. A six on the fourteenth end put the game beyond the reach of the visitors but they maintained a snappy, snarling resistance.
The Whitehead four, especially fiery Michael Stewart, refused to be intimidated but they allowed their concentration to lapse and dropped a late, untidy, five. This gave the result respectability, but the 24 - 19 score ensured that Whitehead banked another precious point.
Strangely enough, Barry Browne was involved in the match of the day. His line-up looked formidable on paper, with a tight front end in the shape of Sean Mullen and Hugh McHugh, back from holiday and looking tanned and fit.
Normal third Philip Weir provided power and poise as they raced to a huge lead at ten ends. Then, after this feast, came the famine as their guests clawed their way back into the match. By a mixture of luck and skill, they turned the white tide, winning six consecutive ends.
Barry's boys had to dig deep to preserve pride and emerge on the right side of a 19-16 result.
The seven points thus gained keep Whitehead hot on the heels of the league pace-setters, Balmoral. There are a couple of severe tests approaching, notably Bangor at Ward Park this Wednesday. To win this much-postponed challenge would send Whitehead into the mid-season break with a spring in their step.
Whitehead (94) 7 Points V Newcastle (57) 0 Points
Juniors enjoy mixed fortunes
While the prospect of an N.LB.A. cup final excites all at Whitehead, the bread-and-butter business of winning promotion to Division Two must not be neglected.
Clarendon provided the most recent challenge. The North Belfast team are an example of how a club can slide from greatness. Not long ago, they were comfortable in Division One and reached four successive Senior Cup semi-finals.
