Home   Sport   Article

Coast club retains indoor bowling crown


By Chris Saunderson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Hopeman have regained the Moray Indoor Bowling Association first division championship title.

An exemplary performance over the season saw the coast outfit establish themselves as a formidable force at home as well as winning all but one of their away contests.

Hopeman joint presidents Alistair Robertson and Alan Grant paid tribute to a great team effort, where the only disappointment was losing the semi-final in their defence of the Ed Beattie Memorial Charity Cup and a chance to emulate only three clubs which have completed the league and cup double.

Moray BC beat fellow promotion hopefuls Lhanbryde in one of the games of the season.

It was equal after the first session with Ralph Smith winning by one shot for the hosts with Ella Harley responding by the same margin. Neil Roger gave Lhanbryde a great chance of victory counting seven shots at the penultimate end, only for Moray president Malcolm Fletcher to hold his nerve for a 16–4 success and ensure Moray stay in pole position for promotion.

Bishopmill remain odds-on favourites to claim the second division title thanks to a massive first session display from Sandy Grant in a 24-6 win. The Elgin side won the second match as well and the overall match, despite a spirited effort from Birnie in the second session, winning both matches through G Watson and Jim Young.

Duffus produced the performance of the week winning by one shot away to Fogwatt. The hosts took a three shot advantage thanks to Neil Entwistle but Gibby Philips and Davy Clerihew both won close matches to give Duffus a deserved away victory.

Elgin led by 13 shots at Lossiemouth thanks to Audrey Gill and Neil Hendry wins but Lossie put in a great response through Jimmy and Kevin Donaldson to overturn the deficit, ending up winners by five shots to move off bottom spot.

In the first division Burghead ground out a hard-earned victory over bottom club Ex Servicemen. Alex Goodall gave the visitors a two shot advantage winning 11–8. John Ross and Brian Davidson ensured the points stayed with the costal club.

Lossie BC entertained Fochabers, who took a two-shot advantage thanks to J Morrison. Bill Robertson increased the lead to nine and in the final match Tam Stewart played superbly in the second half, including a count of three at the final end, for a level match.

Results, First Division: Lossie BC 45, Fochabers 45; Burghead 48, Ex Servicemen 39.

Second Division: Moray BC 46, Lhanbryde 39; Lossiemouth 49, Elgin 44; Fogwatt 39, Duffus 40; Bishopmill 56, Birnie 36.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More