Morayshire Indoor Bowling Association clubs battle it out for Ed Beattie Memorial Charity Cup

The first round of the Ed Beattie Memorial Charity Cup produced some high quality bowls.

Fourteen clubs in this season's Morayshire Indoor Bowling Association league contested their opening matches in the tournament.

Duffus progressed to the second round at the expense of division one leaders Lhanbryde.

Lhanbryde took a narrow two-shot advantage into the second session and stepped up a gear to lead by double digits midway through the second session.

Davy Clerihew scored four shots at the ninth end followed by a five at the tenth and Gibby Phillips took control of his match to put the home club in the ascendancy as they held out to secure a three-shot victory.

Forres Victoria entertained Bishopmill with Charlie Watt and Paul Coutts putting the home club in a strong position winning 23-8 and 19-8 respectively.

Brian Caldwell continued the home club’s dominance with a strong performance to seal victory for the second division club.

Forres Royal British Legion had home advantage against Hopeman with the coastal club taking the opening contest, Zander Main winning 11-7.

Ian McArthur kept the home side very much in the contest with a narrow 12-11 win. Mike Brown won five consecutive ends to give the Legion a second session advantage, Jim Pirie counted four on the last end for a level match 12 shots each.

All went down to the last match where home skip Neil Mathers won the last three ends to record an 11-5 victory and a place in the second round for the division two leaders.

Birnie took on fellow second division club Lossie Bowling Club A where there was only one shot separating the clubs after nine ends. Birnie finished the session stronger to open a seven-shot advantage.

Lossie started strong in the second session to lead by two shots overall after four ends. The home club skips Vivien Welsh and Ronald Roger found their form only losing two more ends as they both run out comfortable winners to ensure a fourth club from division two progressed to the next round.

The form horses Lossie Bowling Club had home advantage against Alves in what was anticipated would be a close contest.

Tam Stewart made a fast start and Mark Thompson won seven consecutive end to put Lossie in a commanding position at the end of the first session.

There was no let up in the second session as William Stewart won 16-9 to clinch an impressive victory and a place in the second round for the home club.

Burghead entertained local rivals Hopeman A where a strong finish from the home club overturned an early deficit as they took a seven-shot advantage into the second session.

Cameron Leggat and Ryan Gordon were in top form as Burghead progressed in their quest to reach a third successive final.

Holders Moray Bowling Club travelled to Fochabers with George Robb jnr and Steve McKidd winning 11-7 and 18-9 respectively to put the holders in a strong position entering the second session.

Like last week’s league match Fochabers came strong in the second session with Netta Forrest and John Boyd starting strongly and kept the momentum going as they knocked out the holders by five shots.

Results

Charity Cup First Round:

Duffus 42 Lhanbryde 39

Forres Victoria 70 Bishopmill 31

Lossie BC 60 Alves 33

Forres Royal British Legion 42 Hopeman 39

Burghead 59 Hopeman A 29

Birnie 52 Lossie BC A 28

Fochabers 52 Moray BC 47