Bowlers see plenty of action

LAST Wednesday there was a special challenge match between Lerwick Outdoor Bowling Club president Ewen MacRitchie and his opposite number at St Fergus Bowling Club in Wick, Malky MacKay.

After some pretty close action the match resulted in a win for the visiting president. The lead changed hands four times with both players playing some very good bowls. On the 16th end, trailing 12-10, Malky scored a three to take the lead. Ewen managed to win only one more end and finally lost 21-13.

In the RBL Two Bowl Triples League George’s triple defeated Babs’ triple 21-7 while Pat’s triple emerged victorious over John’s triple by a 22-10 scoreline.

In the first match both sides got off to a steady start and after five ends George’s side were leading 5-4. At this point George’s triple began to forge ahead. Try as they might, Babs’ team could not get back and George’s triple won the match.

Pat’s team took control of their game at an early stage and were leading 8-5 at the halfway point. John’s side then scored well to tie up at nine each. However Pat and company, playing some very accurate bowls, again took charge and ran out winners.

The win puts Pat’s triple into an unassailable position at the top of the league.

Four teams of four took part in the annual STAGS Inter Club competition on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon.

The winning side this year consisted of Joan Nicolson, Mike Duffy, Jean Jarmson and skip John Jarmson. In the first round of games John’s rink took on Ian Younger, Ernie Munro, Babs Mundie and skip George Mundie who had won the trophy last year.

With only two ends played, George’s team looked well on the way to a win having scored six shots without reply. But at that point their luck ran out and John’s side took over the scoring, running out 11-6 winners after seven ends.

In the other game at that stage Ian Scott, Findlay Jack, Gordon Stevenson and skip Pat Hunter scored heavily over the second, third and fourth ends to lead 9-2 against Anne Barron, Mike Bailey, Ewen MacRitchie and skip Alan Smith.

Alan’s fortunes changed slightly for the remainder but Pat’s team took the game 10-5.

In the second round John’s rink kept up their good scoring against Alan’s team. Despite dropping five shots on the last end, John’s team won 10-6.

George and Pat’s rinks met and fought out a close battle. Thanks to picking up a four on the first end, George’s team tasted victory by 6-5.

The final round saw John’s four continue their winning ways with a convincing 9-2 victory over Pat’s team while George’s side piled on the misery for Alan’s four, beating them 7-4.

The results meant that John’s rink had won all their games so they lifted the trophy this year.

Six pairs entered the Two Bowl Mixed Pairs competition last Sunday afternoon in glorious sunshine and Caroline and Alan Smith emerged victorious.

The pairs were split into “reds” and “blacks” and each red pair played each black pair in a game over 10 ends, the two most successful pairs going forward to play the final.

On this occasion every pair had at least one win and, after three games, results were: Joan Nicolson and Ewen MacRitchie 2; Eleanor Black and Ian Scott 2; Jean and John Jarmson 3; Babs and George Mundie 3; Pat Hunter and Ian Younger 4; Caroline and Alan Smith 4. So Pat and Ian met Caroline and Alan in the final which was also played over 10 ends.

The first seven ends were very close with only one shot being scored on each. Caroline held a one shot advantage at this stage and they were able to increase by two shots on the next end to lead 6-3 with only two ends left to play. Pat and Ian won both ends but could only pick up one shot each time and so went down 6-5 to the new champions.

Twelve players turned out for the weekly hat night competition on Tuesday evening which was won by Mike Duffy and skip Alan Smith.

It was agreed to play three sets of six ends as usual. After the first set Mike and Alan and Ian Scott and skip George Mundie had scored seven shots but leading the field at this point on eight were Mike Bailey and skip Ian Younger.

In the second set Ian and George moved on to 11 shots, two behind Mike and Ian. Mike and Alan, however, had scored another nine shots to give them a new total of 16.

Despite scoring well in the third set to end on 24, Ian and George could not catch Mike and Alan who finished their evening on 26.

The Moira Smith Ladies’ Pairs and the Jim Laurenson Men’s Pairs will be played on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm.

Premier competition results – veterans: Eleanor Black 12, Pat Hunter 19; Jean Jarmson 14, John Jarmson 12.
Ladies’ championship: Jean Jarmson 17, Pat Hunter 21. Greens: Jean Jarmson 16, Ewen MacRitchie 21. Handicap: Babs Mundie (-5) 4, Ian Scott (scratch) 21; Alan Smith (-5) 21, Ian Younger (-2) 8.
Ladies’ league: Babs Mundie 11, Pat Hunter 1; Babs Mundie 10, Anne Barron 7; Pat Hunter 10, Anne Barron 8.
Pairs championship: Findlay Jack and John Jarmson 15, Babs Mundie and George Mundie 17;
Ernie Munro and Ian Younger 11, Gordon Stevenson and Alan Smith 21.

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