Close contests all the way in latest Morayshire Indoor Bowling Association matches

All four matches in Division One of the Alexander Wallace (Toyota) League went to the wire, finishing 4-2 on points.

Lossiemouth Bowling Club went on the road to Alves with Tam Stewart producing a stunning first session performance, winning 18-7 as the coastal club led by eight shots.

Alves were always going to produce a fightback and the experienced Mike Anderson, with the help of two big ends counting 10 shots, reduced the arrears to a single shot.

Jutta Hewett stayed focus and calm in the closing stages against a strong Alves triple to tie her match and clinch a dramatic one-shot victory to make it three wins from three this season for Lossiemouth.

Lhanbryde were also on the road to Fogwatt where Neil Ogilvie won a low scoring opening match 8-5 and Andrew Furr with a strong finish increased the advantage to 11 shots at the interval.

Ronnie Watt brought the home club back into contention winning 16-9, and Neil Roger won the final match to continue the village club’s winning run.

Coastal rivals Hopeman and Burghead went head-to-head where the first game was tied, and James Morrison ensured a six-shot advantage for Hopeman at the end of the first session.

Both second session matches were closely contested with Abbey Main ensuring a valuable two points for the Broch as Hopeman held on for victory.

Fochabers entertained Moray Bowling Club, with George Robb jnr and George Grant winning the opening encounters for the Elgin club who still looked favourites for overall victory heading into the closing ends.

But Mark Woodhouse produced a stunning finish to overturn the deficit in the home club's favour to give Fochabers a two-shot victory and a first win.

In the second division, Duffus visited Birnie with Arthur Morgan and Audrey Gill winning 16-10 and 13-10 to give the away club the advantage.

Davy Clerihew increased the advantage for Duffus, while Bryce Milne kept the home club in the contest winning 16-8 to gain 2 points for Birnie with Duffus getting four points.

Lossiemouth Bowling Club's A team hosted Forres Victoria with both opening contests decided by a single shot going in the favour of the visitors skipped by Charlie Watt and Robert McRitchie.

Alex Stewart and Alan Smith ran out comfortable winners for the hosts in the second session as they secured a first win of the campaign with four points, where Forres left with two points.

Forres Royal British Legion played at home to Hopeman A with the visitors winning a close first contest 14-11 skipped by Jack Burke.

Forres won the remaining contests and are the only club in either division to have maximum points from all three matches as it already starts to look ominous for the chasing pack.

Results

First Division

Fogwatt 41 Lhanbryde 49

Fochabers 46 Moray BC 44

Alves 50 Lossie BC 51

Hopeman 44 Burghead 40

Second Division

Lossie BC A 55 Forres Victoria 38

Birnie 45 Duffus 49

Forres RBL 71 Hopeman A 30