On rink one Ernie Munro, Findlay Jack and skip Davie Hunter took on Orkney’s Billy Swanney, Bobby Hutchison, and skip John Rendall. It was a slow start but Davie’s side won by 17 shots to 10.

Shetland’s Shauna Terris and skip Jean Jarmson met Raye Herkes and skip Jean Hourston on rink two. Orkney were 15-1 up after 10 ends but Shauna and Jean hit back and were able to tie the game at 15-all. The last three ends went the way of the Orkney women who won 18-15.

Eleanor Black and skip Babs Mundie took on Orkney pair Lilian Stephen and skip Freda Swanney on rink three. Lilian and Freda dom­inated the game to win 22-13.

Elma Scott, Joan Nicolson and skip Pat Hunter met the Orkney triple of Ella Bews, Ruby Foubister and skip Kathy Hutchison. Pat had to retire after only two ends due to a damaged muscle, her substitute Margaret Johnson joined the triple and her sister Joan moved up to skip. The change unsettled the team and despite fighting well in the second part of the game they lost 22-17.

Ian Scott, Mike Bailey and skip Ewen MacRitchie met Orkney’s Keith Donaldson, Jack Foubister and skip Arthur Cruikshank on rink five. The visitors dominated and, despite heavy home scoring in the second half, won 18-17.

The sixth game saw Ian Younger, Tam Terris and skip George Mundie against Orkney’s Francis William­son, Graham Harcus and skip Gilbert Kennedy. Shetland trailed 16-2 after nine ends and went on to lose 25-9.

The scores for the first part of the day were: Shetland Ladies 45, Orkney Ladies 62; Shetland Men 43, Orkney Men 53.

Kicking off the afternoon games Elma Scott and skip Jean Jarmson for Shetland took on Lilian Stephen and skip Freda Swanney. From the start the Shetland pair took control and won 32-12.

Margaret Johnson, Shauna Terris and skip Babs Mundie met up with Ella Bews, Ruby Foubister and skip Kathy Hutchison. This was a much closer battle but Orkney rallied in the second half to win 17-16.

Gordon Stevenson and Skip Davie Hunter took on Billy Swanney and skip John Rendall. The first half was very close but Gordon and Davie won 25-15.

Ian Scott and skip Ewen MacRitchie were playing Orkney’s Bobby Hutchison and skip Arthur Cruikshank on rink four. Ian and Ewen were 14-6 ahead after 10 ends and won 28-18.

Eleanor Black and skip Joan Nicolson played Raye Herkess and skip Jean Hourston. The Shet­land pair were 8-6 behind after 10 ends but they stepped up to win 21-13.

Davie Henry, Ernie Munro and skip George Mundie then played Keith Donaldson, Francis William­son and skip Graham Harcus. Orkney set off strongly but the Shetland triple matched them and took the game 16-10.

In a close match Findlay Jack and skip John Jarmson met Jack Foubister and Gilbert Kennedy. After 10 ends the home side was 8-7 ahead, but the visitors scored better and won 21-19.

At the end of the day total scores were: Shetland Ladies 114, Orkney Ladies 104; Shetland Men 131, Orkney Men 117.

At a reception in the British Legion Club Orkney women’s captain Freda Swanney presented the Peterson Cup to Shetland captain Babs Mundie and Orkney men’s captain Arthur Criukchank presented the Fraser Cup to Shetland captain Ewan MacRitchie.

Hat night

On a rather cold last Tuesday evening 21 members turned out for the weekly hat tight competition which was won by Ian Scott and skip Findlay Jack.

Playing the usual three sets of six ends, scoring was low and after six ends, Willie Tait and skip John Jarmson had scored five shots to take third place just two shots behind Elma Scott and skip Davie Hunter, but leading the field on eight shots were Willie Fleming and skip Ian Younger.

Willie and John moved on to 13 shots in the second set to retain their third place while Willie and Ian advanced to 14 to hold second spot. However, from nowhere, Eleanor Black and skip George Mundie shot into the lead on 16.

In the final set Eleanor and George could only take their score on to 17 to share third place with Willie and John, one shot adrift of Willie and Ian. But with a mighty 11 shots in their last set, Ian and Findlay took the top spot on 22.

Jimmy Simpson Memorial Cup

Three games were played last Wednesday afternoon. On rink one Pat Hunter and Geordie Mundie ser off on a flying start and were 9-0 up after four ends.

Laurence Mar and John Jarmson then upped their game and were leading 12-9 at the halfway stage. However, Pat and Geordie found form by the 12th end and ran out 19-17 winners.

Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson enjoyed a hard game against Ian Younger and Davie Hunter on rink two. A tied end is fairly unusual but these teams actually managed two in the first half of the game – on the third and fifth ends. The score was level on five shots after the ninth, but although Jean and Gordon continued to play well Ian and David scored four in the 10th and a five in the 15th to finish 19-13 winners.

On rink three Babs Mundie and Ernie Munro played Margaret Johnson and Joan Nicolson. The score was six all after the sixth end but steady play by Babs and Ernie saw them lead 12-8 after the 12th. A further 10 shots over the last six ends earned them a 22-8 win and placed them top of the leader board.

Fixtures Monday: Ewan/Ian v Pat/Geordie; Babs/Ernie v Jean/Gordon; Joan/Margaret v Ian/Davie; John/Lawrence – bye.

Wednesday: Ewan/Ian v Jean/Gordon; Babs/Ernie v Pat/Geordie; John/Lawrence v Ian/Davie; Joan/Margaret – bye.

There will be coaching tomorrow from 11am to noon for beginners and experienced players alike.

The Two Bowl Mixed Pairs competition will be played on Sunday at 2.30pm.

As is now the norm, play was over three sets of six ends. After one set Joan Nicolson and skip Ian Scott shared second place with Mike and Ewen on eight shots, just one shot behind Margaret Johnson and skip Davie Hunter.

In the second set Mike and Ewen moved on to 13 shots, while Margaret and Davie reached 14. But out in front on 15 shots Joan and Ian were joined by Willie Tait and skip Pat Hunter. Margaret and Davie took their total to 19 shots in set three to take third place three shots behind Joan and Ian but, winners on 27 shots were Mike and Ewen.

Eight pairs entered the Morton Lodge 89 Open Pairs three-bowl competition which was won for the second year running by Ewen MacRitchie and skip Alan Smith.

The pairs were divided into two groups and each group was run in a round robin fashion with each game being played over two sets of seven ends and a deciding set of three ends if necessary. The group stages were played off on Saturday afternoon in brilliant sunshine.

Section A was won by Eleanor Black and skip Davie Hunter followed by Gordon Stevenson and skip Pat Hunter. In Section B Jean Jarmson and skip John Jarmson were runners up to Ewen and Alan.

On Sunday afternoon the bowlers were again blessed with bright sunshine for the semi-finals and final.

Ewen and Alan took on Gordon and Pat on rink four. The first set was very tight and scores were level at four shots each going into the final end which Ewen and Alan took by three shots to win the first set. Ewen and Alan took command of the second set from an early stage and ran out 8-4 winners, taking the match by two sets to nil.

Meanwhile, on rink two Eleanor and Davie were playing Jean and John. The first set saw Jean and John take a five-shot lead over the first two ends only for Eleanor and Davie to come back and win the set 7-6.

In the second set Jean and John made a similar start to lead 4-0 after two ends. Again Eleanor and Davie started a come back but, on this occasion it was not so successful and they eventually went down by 8-7.

So play went in to a third set of three ends only. Jean and John had the edge in this set and were able to take the first two ends and so win the match by two sets to one.

The final was played over two sets of nine ends with a deciding set of three ends if required. Play was very tight in the first set with Ewen and Alan having the rub of the green. After eight ends they were 6-2 ahead and with their opponents chasing the game were able to pick up a further three shots on the final end to take the first set 9-2.

The second set followed a similar pattern to the first with Ewen and Alan having the edge although both pairs played some excellent bowls. With seven ends played Jean and John looked as though they might turn the tables when they had come back to trail 7-4.

However, Ewen and Alan scored a single on the next end to hold a four shot lead going into the final end. Jean’s final bowl picked up the jack and ran it into the ditch but John was unable to profit from this and they took only a single shot from the end and so lost the set 8-5. This gave Ewen and Alan a two sets to nil victory and the trophy.

Past master Gordon Stevenson presented the cup to Ewen and Alan on behalf of Morton Lodge.

There will be no coaching tomorrow since the coaches are in Wick to take part in the St Fergus Triples Competition.

Premier competition results – greens: George Mundie 21, Pat Hunter 15.

Handicap: Ernie Munro (-3) 21, Eleanor Black (-2) 18; Willie Tait (scratch) 3, Shauna Terris (scratch) 21.

Ladies’ championship: Shauna Terris 12, Margaret Johnson 21.

Men’s championship: George Mundie 21, Gordon Stevenson 11.

Veterans: Joan Nicolson 15, Ian Younger 9; George Mundie 16, Gordon Stevenson 11.

Pairs: Pat Hunter and skip Davie Hunter 19, Shauna Terris and skip Anne Barron 12; Ian Scott and skip Ewen MacRitchie 28, Willie Tait and skip Babs Mundie 2.

This was a close game with Babs and Ernie leading by two shots at the ninth end. They kept up the pressure and had increased their lead by a further six shots by the 17th end. Ian and Davie went all out for a hot shot on the last end and managed to score a magnificent seven, with Babs and Ernie em­erging winners on 16 shots to 15.

The other afternoon game featured Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson against Margaret John­son and Joan Nicolson. This was a very one sided affair with Jean and Gordon leading by 15 shots to five at the halfway stage. Mar­garet and Joan were unable to close the gap and the final score was 25 to nine in favour of Jean and Gordon.

League leaders Ian Scott and Ewan MacRitchie played second placed Laurence of Mar and John Jarmson in the evening. This proved an exciting game for the spectators with Ian and Ewan down by one shot after six ends, up by one after 12 ends and level on 12 going into the last end. They were lying game when John played his last bowl into the head and managed to convert a possible loss into a 15-12 win.

As the majority of players were competing in Thurso and Wick last week the next three games were played on Monday, again with two games in the afternoon and one in the evening. Margaret Johnson and Joan Nicolson were still looking for their first win when they faced Pat Hunter and Geordie Mundie on rink two.

After the first nine ends they were leading by eight shots to four but Pat and Geordie eventually found the green and were up 15-13 at the 17th. With the end in sight Margaret and Joan put their skills to the test and an excellent four on the last saw them win their first game by 17 shots to 15.

On rink three Ian Scott and Ewan MacRitchie, playing against Ian Younger and Davie Hunter, found themselves 13 shots to three down after the first nine ends. They staged a comeback in the second half but their 12 shots proved too few and they eventually lost the game 20-15.

The evening saw Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson play Laur­ence of Mar and John Jarmson. In the first half the new league leaders, Laurence and John, played well to lead by nine shots to five.

A further 14 shots were scored over the next three – seven and two to Jean and Gordon, and five to Laurence and John, bringing to score to 14 all after the 12th end. It was 18 all after the 16th but a determined Jean and Gordon won the last two ends to emerge 20-18 winners.

Fixtures for Wednesday 8th July: Babs/Ernie v Joan/Margaret; Pat/Geordie v John/Laurence; Jean/Gordon v Ian/Davie; Ewan/Ian bye.

It was decided that there should be five pairs matches and one triples with the pairs playing over 18 ends and the triples over 16.

After the first six ends Elma Scott and skip Ernie Munro had scored 14 shots more than their opponents while Caroline and Find­lay had a shot difference of 16. Although Elma and Ernie drop­ped back to have a nine shots advantage in the next six ends, no­body else seemed able to catch them.

Caroline and Findlay had, mean­time, moved on to have a 19-shot advantage. These two pairs remained ahead of the field over the final part of play. Elma and Ernie finished with a shot difference of +10 but Caroline and Findlay were well out in front on +22.

Two more games were played in the Royal British Legion Two Bowl Triples League last week.

Alan’s triple played Gordon’s triple in a very tight game over the first 12 ends with neither side able to take any great advantage. At this stage the scores were level at 11 shots each. However, Alan’s team then took charge of the game and scored a further six shots to their opponents’ one to win 17-12.

George’s side made the better start in their match with Davie’s triple and held a 10-8 lead at the halfway point. They then lost a run of six ends to trail 15-10 after which they did pick another two, but Davie’s triple came back to score a further four shots a secure a 19-12 victory.

The Mundie Midsummer Cup is a fun competition played over three sets of six ends in which, although playing together, every player plays for him/herself with three points being awarded for the closest bowl to the jack, two for the second and one for the third.

In third place after the first set with 13 points were Ian Younger, Joan Nicolson and Davie Hunter. Pat Hunter had scored 15 points to take second spot just one point behind Alan Smith.

During the second set Alan and Davie moved on to 23 points while John Jarmson appeared in the frame on 28 points taking second place with Pat but Joan had moved out in front on 30. Alan could only increase his score by nine in the final set to finish his day on 32 points. Joan and John shared third spot on 38, three behind Davie, but the winner on 44 was Pat.

There will be coaching tomorrow from 11am to noon for beginners and experienced players alike.

The Morton Lodge 89 Open Pairs Cup will be played for tomorrow and Sunday, starting at 2.30pm, and the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm.

Rain stopped play in the Jimmy Simpson Memorial Cup competition last week. Two teams were able to play on Monday afternoon but the John Jarmson/Laurence of Mar match against Babs Mundie and Ernie Munro has been postponed until a later date.

Ian Scott and Davie Henry, subbing for Ewan MacRitchie, were drawn against Margaret Johnson and Joan Nicolson on rink two. Ian and Davie got off to a good start and were leading 8-3 after the sixth end. There was a complete turn-around over the next six ends and Margaret and Joan led 11-10, but unfortunately the comeback was short-lived and the final score was 20-12 to Ian and Davie.

The other rink three match was Pat Hunter and Geordie Mundie against Ian Younger and Davie Hunter who were winning 12-3 at the halfway stage, but a valiant effort saw Pat and Geordie saw them win 12-4 over the final nine ends. That boosted their score and at the end they were only one shot behind Davie and Ian who emerged 16-15 winners.

There will be no league next Wednesday as most of the players will be heading south to Wick and Thurso.

Monday fixtures: Ewan/Ian v Ian/Davie; Pat/Geordie v Joan/Margaret; Jean/Gordon v John/Laurence; Babs /Ernie – bye.

Premier competition results – greens: Ernie Munro 21, Shauna Terris 4; Findlay Jack 13, Jean Jarmson 21; Gordon Stevenson 9, Alan Smith 21.

Handicap: Babs Mundie (-5) 17, Gordon Stevenson (-4) 21.

Veterans: Jean Jarmson 21, Pat Hunter 4; Babs Mundie 9, John Jarmson 17; Ernie Munro 12, Davie Hunter 16.

Joan Nicolson, Ernie Munro and skip Davie Hunter got away to a flying start against Davie Henry, Willie Fleming and skip Alan Smith and were 13-4 ahead after 10 ends. Alan’s team picked up four shots on each of the next two ends but were unable to reduce the leeway any further and lost 19-15.

Mike Bailey, Norrie Wiseman and skip George Mundie had a steady start, as did Shauna Terris, Ian Scott and skip Ewen Mac­Ritchie. After the first nine ends Ewen’s side had a three-shot advantage. However, they dropped 10 shots over the next five ends and were then reduced to playing catch up, eventually losing 18-13.

Margaret Johnson, Jean Jarmson and skip John Jarmson had a very close battle with Tam Terris, Ian Younger and skip Gordon Stevenson. There was never more than one or two shots separating the teams and at the halfway stage Gordon’s side were 7-6 in the lead. The game remained very tight and John’s team scored two shots on the last end to steal the game 13-12.

On Saturday afternoon 12 mem­bers played in the first sweepstake of the season which was won by Elma Scott and skip Findlay Jack.

In the lead after the first set of six ends were Gordon Stevenson and Skip Johnnie Wiseman on 12 shots, four shots ahead of Shauna Terris and skip Babs Mundie.

The second set saw a marked change in fortunes. Gordon and Johnnie were unable to increase their total and were pushed into second place by Elma and Findlay who now had 15 shots. Elma and Findlay scored a further eight shots in the final set to finish on 23, just one ahead of Eleanor Black and skip George Mundie and Joan Nicolson and skip Ian Scott.

Seven couples turned out to compete for the George Wilson Mixed Pairs Cup on Sunday afternoon and the winners were Jean and John Jarmson.

With only seven pairs it was decided to play the competition in the form of a knock out event. Eleanor Black and skip Davie hunter were given a bye into the semi-finals.

First round: Joan Nicolson and skip Gordon Stevenson 6. Elma Scott and skip Ian Scott 4; Caroline Smith and skip Alan Smith 4, Jean Jarmson and skip John Jarmson 5; Pat Hunter and skip Ian Younger 4, Babs Mundie and skip George Mundie 7.

In the semi-finals, Eleanor and Davie beat Babs and George by nine shots to three while Jean and John knocked out Joan and Gordon by six shots to three.

After dropping two shots on the first end of the final, Jean and John got into scoring mode and were 8-2 ahead after five ends. At this point they looked to be certain winners. However, Eleanor and Davie then picked up a two and a four to force a draw on eight shots each. An extra end had to be played.

Having won the toss John gave the jack to Eleanor and Davie, thus ensuring that he had last bowl. After Eleanor and Jean had played their bowls, Jean held one shot. Davie quickly took Jean’s bowl out to give his side a winning lie. The head was very tight and, with the last bowl of the game, John played a running bowl. He played wider than he should and had the good fortune to knock one of Jean’s bowls in for shot and so win the competition. Vice-president George Mundie presented the trophy to the winning pair.

There will be coaching tomorrow from 11am to noon for beginners and experienced players alike.

The Mundie Midsummer Cup will be played for tomorrow, starting at 2.30pm, and the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm.

Premier competition results – greens: Tam Terris 6, Ian Scott 21; Babs Mundie 21, Ian Younger 16.

Handicap: Alan Smith (-5) 21, Ian Younger (-2) 7; Ian Scott (-1) 21, Ewen McRitchie (-3) 1;Tam Terris (scratch) 21, Pat Hunter (-5) 20.

Ladies’ championship: Pat Hunt­er 21, Eleanor Black 14.

Men’s championship: Alan Smith 21,Davie Hunter 15.

Men’s league: Gordon Stevenson 8, Davie Hunter 12.

Play in the third round of the Jimmy Simpson Memorial Cup competition commenced on Wednes­day afternoon.

Laurence Mar and John Jarmson played against Ian Younger and Davie Henry on rink one and set off at a cracking pace to lead by eight shots at the halfway stage. Davie and Ian won six of the final nine ends but Laurence and John were victors 21-12.

On rink two Ian Scott and Ewan MacRitchie enjoyed a close game against Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson. There were never more than two shots between them until the 17th end when Jean and Gordon scored a three and went on to win 14-10.

Babs Mundie and Ernie Munro were in great form against Pat Hunter and George Mundie on rink three. High scoring was the order of the day with Babs and Ernie leading 16-5 after seven ends. Pat and George upped their game to bring the score to 17-13 at the 12th end. Thirteen proved an unlucky number for them and Babs and Ernie scored another 19 shots over the final six ends to win 36-14.

Fixtures: Ewan/Ian v John/Laurence; Babs/Ernie v Ian/Davie; Jean/Gordon v Joan/Margaret; Pat/Geordie – Bye.

The bowling club failed to hold on to the trophy which they won last year, going down 50 shots to 48.

On rink two Jean Jarmson, Tam Terris and skip Ewen MacRitchie, playing for the bowling club, got off to a very good start against Elma Scott, Pat Hunter and skip Davie Hunter to lead 14-3 after eight ends. Davie’s triple fought back in the second half of the game but Ewen’s team won this game 24-13.

Fortunes were reversed on rink three where the bowling club triple of Shauna Terris, Ian Younger and skip George Mundie could not cope with the play of Ian Scott, Ernie Munro and skip Gordon Stevenson who were 11-7 in the lead at the halfway stage.

Over the remaining eight ends the Morton Lodge triple increased their advantage to win 21-9. The game on rink four was a much closer tie. Morton Lodge being one player short, their pair Margaret Johnson and skip Alan Smith took on the bowling club triple Davie Henry, Babs Mundie and skip John Jarmson on rink four. The pair had a better start to the game and were leading 7-4 after eight ends. However, the triple came back at them and in the end only lost 16-15. Bowling club president Ewen MacRitchie presented the Morton Lodge Trophy to the win­ning captain Ian Scott.

Following a light shower just before seven o’clock the hat night competition on Tuesday evening enjoyed fine sunshine. With 22 members playing, it was decided that two triples and eight pairs should do battle with no change of rink. The winners would, therefore, be the team with the best shot difference.

At the end of play three pairs – Jean Jarmson and skip John Jarmson, Shauna Terris and skip George Mundie and Anne Barron and skip Findlay Jack – tied for first place with a shot difference of plus 10. After a one bowl play-off Anne and Findlay won the evening’s play.

There will be coaching tomorrow from 11am to midday for beginners and experienced players alike.

The George Wilson Trophy for mixed pairs will be competed for on Sunday, starting at 2.30pm and the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday evening at 7pm.

Premier competition result – greens: Ernie Munro 21, John Jarm­son 19.

Round two of the Jimmy Simpson Memorial Cup was played in cool dry conditions on Wed­nesday afternoon.

League leaders Ian Scott and Ewen MacRitchie played on rink one against Eleanor Black, subbing for Pat Hunter, and Geordie Mundie. They were ahead by four shots at the halfway stage but Eleanor and Geordie upped their game to level with them on seven shots each over the last nine ends. The final result was 17-13 to Ian and Ewan.

Laurence of Mar and John Jarmson got off to a flying start on rink two in their first game of the competition. They were drawn against the new tea of Joan Nicolson and Margaret Johnson and were leading 16-1 after nine ends. They ended the game 27-5 in their favour.

On rink three Babs Mundie and Ernie Munro had an excellent game against Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson. They were 12-2 up after the first half and eventually won 22-8.

Fixtures: Ewan and Ian v Joan and Margaret; Bas and Ernie v John and Laurence; Pat and Geordie v Ian and Davie; Jean and Gordon – bye.

The competition was played over three sets of seven ends with players playing in a 2-4-2 format. With seven ends played three pairs – Davie Henry and Findlay Jack, Elma Scott and Alan Smith and Ian Younger and Babs Mundie – had each scored eight shots but taking the lead from the word go were Margaret and George on 13.

In the second set Margaret and George moved steadily on to 23 while Ian and Babs reached 17 and Shauna Terris and Davie Hunter took third spot on 15.

Margaret and George didn’t score so well in their last set, but with 28 shots they still had enough to win the day, one shot ahead of Ian and Babs.

Twenty-four members took part in the hat night competition on Tuesday evening the winners of which were Willie Fleming and skip Alan Smith. As is becoming the norm, play was over three sets of six ends.

At the end of the first set Norrie Wiseman and skip Mike Bailey were in the lead on nine shots, closely followed by Findlay Jack and skip Tam Terris with eight. These two pairs then ran out of luck and into the lead came Mike Duffy and skip Davie Hunter with 15 shots, one ahead of Willie Fleming and skip Alan Smith.

In the third and final set Willie and Alan scored 11 shots to finish on 25 with Mike and Davie ended on 22, as did Anne Barron and skip Ernie Munro.

Coaching will resume tomorrow at 11am for beginners and experienced players alike.

Tomorrow the bowling club takes on Morton Lodge in the annual match, beginning at 2.30pm, while the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm The British Legion Two Bowl Triples League will be starting shortly and members should look for details on the club notice board.

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Simpson Cup begins

The first games in the Jimmy Simpson Memorial Cup were played on Thursday afternoon as the green was closed on Wednesday.

Seven teams entered this year and the organiser was pleased to welcome the new team of Margaret Johnson and Joan Nicolson.

On rink three Ian Scott and Ewan MacRitchie enjoyed a very close game against Babs Mundie and Ernie Munro. After the first nine ends Ian and Ewan led by 11 shots to six but a three on the 10th end brought Babs and Ernie into contention and there was only one shot between them after the 15th end.

However, Ian and Ewan won two of the last three ends to eventually win 16-13.

Eleanor Black (subbing for Pat Hunter) and Geordie Mundie played on rink four against Jean Jarmson and Gordon Stevenson. This started off as a one-sided game with Eleanor and Geordie leading 21-3 at the halfway stage. Jean and Gordon attempted by a comeback in the second half and won five of the last nine ends, but eventually lost 27-9.

The final game on rink five saw the new team play against Ian Younger and Davie Hunter. Margaret and Joan had an excellent game with some really close heads but the more experienced team were not to be beaten and the final result was 28-6 for Ian and Davie.

John Jarmson and Laurence of Mar had a bye this week.

Next week’s fixtures: Ewan and Ian v Jean and Gordon; Babs and Ernie v Pat and Geordie; John and Laurence v Ian and Davie; Joan and Margaret – bye.

It was decided to play the two-bowl triples competition in a round robin manner with two points being awarded for a win and one for a draw. Each match was played over four ends.

After the first two rounds Elma Scott, Margaret Johnson and skip Alan Smith were in the lead with four points, closely followed by four other teams on two points. When each triple had played four games, Alan’s team had moved on to six points and shared first place with three other triples: Eleanor Black, Joan Nicolson and skip Pat Hunter; Findlay Jack, Gordon Stevenson and skip Ewen MacRitchie; and Mike, Ernie and John.

Unfortunately for Pat’s triple their luck ran out and they lost their two last games which put them out of the running. Ewen’s and Alan’s triples each won one game and lost one, but John’s team won one game and drew one to give them a final total of nine points and the trophy.

On Tuesday evening 23 members turned out for the weekly hat night competition with play over three sets of six ends.

With one set played Ernie Munro, Findlay Jack and skip George Mundie held third place on six shots, two behind Jean Jarmson and skip Babs Mundie. Out in front on 12 were Elma Scott, Anne Barron and skip Alan Smith.

During the second set Margaret Johnson and skip Davie Hunter moved into third place on 17 with George’s triple second on 19, but still in first place were Alan’s triple with 26.

The third set saw Jean and Babs overtake George’s triple to take third place on 23 while Margaret and Davie progressed to 24 and Alan’s team held on to win with 29.

Tomorrow’s competition is for the Mark and Scott Rowland trophy at 2.30pm while the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm.

There will be no coaching to­morrow.

This competition is played over three sets of seven ends. After each set players draw to find who plays with who so that, at the end of the day’s play, the player with the highest number of shots is the winner of the shield.

With the first set over, Jean Jarmson, Tam Terris and Alan Smith were ahead of the field on 12 shots, followed by a group of six players all on eight.

The second set saw these three continue to score well with Tam and Alan progressing to 18, just one shot behind Jean. However, in the final set Pat, playing with Ewen MacRitchie and George Mundie, scored very heavily.

Jean kept up her steady scoring, finishing, like Ewen, on 25 shots. But they were pipped at the post by Pat who had a total of 26 shots for the day. Club president Ewen MacRitchie presented the shield and thanked all the players for a very good afternoon’s bowling.

Tuesday evening saw 24 members turn out for the weekly hat night competition which was won by Caroline Smith and skip Ian Younger.

Play was over three sets of six ends and Anne Barron and skip Ian Scott were leading at the end of the first set with 11 shots, closely followed by Elma Scott and skip Ernie Munro on 10.

In the second set Elma and Ernie moved into the lead on to 16 shots with Jean Jarmson and skip Pat Hunter taking second spot on 15. At this point Caroline and Ian were lying joint third with Anne and Ian just one shot behind Jean and Pat.

The final set proved decisive with Elma and Ernie finishing on 18 shots, Jean and Pat on 19, Anne and Ian Scott on 20 but Caroline and Ian Younger well ahead on 24.

Tomorrow’s competition is the Newhills Triples for the quaich donated by Newhills Bowling Club some years ago, beginning at 2.30pm. The weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm.

There will be no coaching tomorrow.

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Coaches impressed with standard in schools

Since October last year club coach Babs Mundie, advanced coach Jean Jarmson and area coach John Jarmson have been visiting primary schools voluntarily to introduce children to the game of carpet bowls.

They have been in schools from Dunrossness in the south to Baltasound in the north and from Sandness in the west to Skerries in the east, notching up over 1,000 miles in their travels.

All three coaches were very impressed with the standard of play in the schools and are looking forward to setting up some form of competition next winter. The only problem, according to Mr Jarmson, is finance.

He said: “There will be some cost to schools for transport and the use of leisure centres or local halls. It is very difficult to say in advance exactly how much the cost to each school will be so I am now looking for a very understanding sponsor.”

A spin-off from these visits, and one which has pleased the coaches greatly, was an invitation to become involved in the Brae High School activities days this week.

On Monday they had a most enjoyable day in the secondary department of the school, working with pupils, and again there were several very promising young bowlers. Hopefully that could lead to more involvement in secondary schools, Mr Jarm­son said.

He said sincere thanks were due to Robbie Leask and staff at Clickimin Leisure Complex for the use of their carpets and bowls on several occasions, and the staff and pupils in each of the schools they visited for their welcoming attitude and hospitality.

The rain had stopped and the afternoon remained dry so everyone on the green had a most enjoyable time. The winners on this first day of the new season were Anne Barron and skip Babs Mundie.

Club vice-president George Mundie welcomed everybody and invited Ian Younger to roll the first jack of the season. This having been done, play got under way.

It was agreed to play 14 ends and the pair with the highest score would be the winners. After seven ends, Joan Nicolson and skip Tam Terris shared second place with Margaret Johnson and skip Ernie Munro on nine shots, just three shots behind Anne and Babs.

At the end of the competition Jean Jarmson with her husband John skipping had crept into second place on 16 shots but Anne and Babs, on 21 shots, won the day.

All the players expressed their gratitude to the staff at the green for the work they had done during the winter months. The green was playing really well and was a pleasure to play on.

A very pleasant Tuesday evening saw 19 members turn out for the weekly hat night competition which was won by Tam Terris and skip Ian Younger. Play was over three sets of six ends.

At the end of the first set which saw some very low scoring, Ernie Munro and skip Ewen MacRitchie were in the lead on six shots followed on four shots by Eleanor Black, Caroline Smith and skip Alan Smith, Joan Nicolson, Anne Barron and skip Babs Mundie, Willie Tait and skip George Mundie and Mike Bailey, Margaret Johnson and skip Ian Scott.

The second set saw a change in fortunes with Ernie and Ewen moving on to 13 shots to trail Tam and Ian by five. These two pairs scored well in the third set to maintain their positions with Ernie and Ewen progressing to 21 shots while Tam and Ian finished on 25.

The weekly coaching sessions begin tomorrow at 11am at the green. These sessions are open to everyone, whether beginner or experienced player, and are free without obligation.

The Red Robbie Watt competition will be competed on Saturday starting at 2.30pm and the weekly hat night competition will be played on Tuesday at 7pm.