Forres Bowling Club welcome Australian visitors to establish Dalgety challenge match in honour of 19th century club secretary
Visitors from Australia saw a sports club travelled all the way back to its 19th century origins.
Peter Bellairs and his wife Rose made the 10,000 mile journey from Down Under to Forres Bowling club to explore a family connection.
Peter’s grandfather, David Dalgety, had been a member of the club from 1894 to early 1900 - the club was founded in 1883 - .and served as ther Forres club secretary for three years.
In November 1899, in recognition of his valued services, the club presented Mr Dalgety with a silver salver as a parting gift as he embarked on his journey to the other side of the world.
“To his credit, Peter had been in touch with the club as he wished to return the gift,” said current club member Alex Porter. “Forres Bowling Club have vowed to play an annual President versus Vice-President match to commemorate the occasion.”
And the inaugural Dalgety Challenge Match was contested last week, some 125 years after the man it honours left Scottish shores to head for the other side of the world.
The first-ever game was a very close run affair, with the result decided on the final bowls of the session.
The top triple of the evening were John Sutton, Steve Whittlestone and Brian Riddell from the President's team. They scored two first half fours on their way to a 12-6 advantage over Alana Coutts. Although Alana got a four of her own in the second half, she lost another at the death.
Sheena Murdoch, Paul Coutts and John Matthews were the Vice-President's top representatives. They won their opening handful of ends against Sandy Burgess, and went on to hold a 14-2 lead after ten ends. Sandy twice scored five thereafter to make the score more respectable.
Alex Porter staged an exceptionally late comeback performance to defeat Gary Mackie, who had led almost all of this one, with the score 16-8 in his favour going into the final four ends. Two fours in succession had Porter back on level terms, before he edged ahead and saw the game out.
Henry Davidson's tie with Dean Dobbs changed course as a result of three threes on the spin early in the second half. Davidson had won all but two of the initial seven ends to lead 9-4.
Those threes early in the second half had Dobbs in front and although Davidson fought back, he ran out of ends.
Club president Brian Caldwell came good in the end for his side. Vice-President, Skibo McKenzie scored a five at the fourth end, and led Caldwell for most of their tie but the president won the final four ends to sneak in front, and, as it turned out, steal the overall victory.
Scores (President's team first): B Riddell, 22 A Coutts 12; A Burgess 14, J Matthews 19; G Mackie 16, A Porter 19; H Davidson 15, D Dobbs 17; B Caldwell 16, A McKenzie 15.
Final result: President 83, Vice-President 82.
