Birnie and Alves continue strong start to Morayshire Indoor Bowling Association season

In the latest round of matches in the Alexander Wallace (Toyota) Moray indoor bowls league, Birnie continued their strong start to the campaign.

The village side recorded an emphatic home win against Fogwatt. First session skips David Parry and Jim Hinshelwood both recorded impressive wins to give the home team a 23-shot advantage going into the second session.

Ronald Roger and Bryce Milne won both their games as Birnie move to within two points of the leaders in the second division.

Leaders Lhanbryde were in a strong position after the first session against Lossie BC A, Andrew Furr and Neil Roger both winning. The third match was tied, the coastal club took the final game 15-9 to secure two points with the home club taking four points.

Duffus consolidated third place with a comfortable home victory against Lossiemouth, Arthur Morgan and Davy Clerihew being the standout performers.

Hopeman B hosted Forres Victoria with only three shots separating the teams after the first session, Robert MacRitchie winning 12-11 for the visitors. Both games went in favour of the away club in the second session Paul Coutts winning 12-6 as the visitors left with four points and the home club two points.

First division leaders Hopeman A were involved in a tight contest against bottom club Fochabers. Each team recorded one win in the first session Philip McPherson for the home club and Bill Robertson for the visitors. George Duncan made it a two-shot match with a narrow 11-10 win, Zander Main impressed in the final game winning 16-3 as the leaders gained another maximum six points.

Burghead played host to Forres Royal British Legion, and Harry Milne used his experience to win the first game 10-8 for the visitors, while Cameron Leggat continued his recent form to give the Broch a commanding lead after the first session.

Neil Mathers secured a second win for the Legion, but Ryan Gordon's margin of victory was enough to secure six points for Burghead and keep the pressure on the leaders.

Moray BC entertained champions Lossie BC with George Robb jnr ensuring an eight-shot advantage for the Elgin club. George Grant and Neil McWilliam won both matches in the second session as the Elgin club keep up their title challenge.

Alves threw their hat in the ring as championship contenders with all four skips in great form, recording a resounding victory over Bishopmill.

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