Sport

Dillon makes Poynt in Sweden

THERE was no crying over spilt milk when Cecil Dillon won the Swedish Masters title in Stromstad at the weekend.

The Poyntzpass dairy farmer was undefeated over the two days and lifted the trophy with an impressive eight-shot defeat of the host country's Jorgen Karlsson.

The West Down zone convener, a member of the St Joseph's club, booked his place in the decider when he defeated current World Order of Merit leader Mark Beattie 10-5 in the last four.

With five players involved in the quarter-finals, Irish hopes of an all-green final were high but defeats for PJ McCrossan, Jal Richardson and Andrew Morrison considerably lengthened the odds.

The winner of last season's World Order of Merit, this was Dillon's second Short Mat Players Tour success and sees him climb to fifth position in this season's table.

There was a Swedish success, however, in the plate final when Lars Hansen defeated England's Steve Putton 13-1.

Meanwhile, defending champions Oriel took a major step towards retaining the Boomer Cup with an impressive quarter-final defeat of 2011 champions Northern at the weekend.

The winners finished ahead on all six rinks although three of their victories were only by a single shot.

Kevin Conroy was their most impressive winner by nine shots against John Martin while Conroy's father Sean defeated Anthony Steele by four shots. Paul Duff finished two shots ahead of Alan Irwin.

Five-time champions Armagh will host Oriel in the semis following their three-shot defeat of visitors Foyle.

South Tyrone's six-shot defeat of North East earned them a home tie against Western who travelled to South and East Belfast and won by 28 shots.

Mid Ulster will host Larne in the plate semis while Donegal travel to Lisburn.

The quarter-finals of the Ladies Inter Zone competition will be played next Saturday.