Eight Forres Bowling Club competitions come to thrilling conclusion
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ANOTHER eight of Forres Bowling Club's internal competitions have come to their conclusion.
In his third year at the club, second year of competing, Gary Mackie is the new Men's Champion. Gary secured the title after his opponent, John Ross was ruled out through surgery. However Gary had already proved his worthiness, having beaten the 2019 champion, Paul Coutts and the 2021 champion, Dean Dobbs earlier in the competition.
Alana Coutts retained her Ladies' Championship title after beating her mother, Lesley in a repeat of last season's final. This turned out to be a cracker of a tie, although it didn't start that way. The game was pretty one-sided early on, with Alana 5-0 ahead after the opening pair of ends. Alana stayed in charge, and, when she led 12-4 with nine ends played, there looked to be no way back for Lesley. Lesley managed to get the jack and began lengthening the ends. This knocked Alana out of her stride. A treble at the sixteenth end drew Lesley level with her youngster at 14-14, and two ends later she went 16-15 up. No-one saw that coming after nine ends! The game was now a tense, hotly contested affair. Alana managed to trail the jack with her final bowl at the twenty-second end to earn three shots and effectively kill the game. She was now just one shot away from reclaiming the title. Two ends later she had.
Harry Sutherland turned the clock back with some spectacular bowling as he secured the President's Handicap for the third time. The 2007 and 2012 winner actually dropped a brace at each of the initial two ends to fall 4-0 down to Dean Dobbs. Nothing went right for Dean thereafter, and some fantastically consistent play from Harry bagged him the silverware in double-quick time.
John Matthews exacted some revenge against Derek Sobey in the W D MacPherson. Beaten by Derek in two finals last season, John was determined that there wouldn't be a repeat this time around. He started the better, and, within ten ends, held a 13-3 advantage. Derek won the next three ends as he tried to stage a comeback, but John wasn't to be deterred.
The final of the Porter Cup was a joy to behold! What a battle! Adam Nicolson, in his first season, and Paul Rogan, in his comeback season, scored four shots against Mary Sobey and Paul Coutts at the very first end. Gradually the more experienced latter pair recovered, and with eight ends played, held a 9-6 lead. Within two ends the scores were level at 9-9. May and Paul held a two shot advantage going into the penultimate end, but they lost a three. At the final end Adam and Paul held the shot, leaving Paul Coutts no option but to try and steal it to force an extra end. He was unsuccessful.
The Men's Pairs final started badly for Charlie Watt and Paul Coutts. With four ends played they already 8-1 behind to John Matthews and Dean Dobbs. Charlie and Paul looked to get back into it by winning a four at the fifth end, but their hope was short-lived. John and Dean won seven ends on the spin to put the result beyond doubt long before the towel was thrown in.
In her first season of playing, Carol McRitchie took part in the Ladies' Pairs final alongside Mary Sobey. Unfortunately for them, they met Mary Williamson and Lesley Coutts playing some great bowls. Mary and Lesley ran out very comfortable winners.
Paul Rogan held a comfortable, if slight, 7-4 advantage over Roy Anderson with seven ends played of the John Raffan finale. Paul won the next handful of ends as he put the tie beyond Roy.
A fantastic second half performance from Alana Coutts propelled her to her second Scott Cup overall win in a row. It is too late in the season for Alana to trouble the leaders of the competition, but, as mum, Lesley and Morag Ritchie assisted, Lesley is within three points of the summit. Although all-square with Alex Porter after half a dozen ends, an eight end winning spree left Alex a distant also-ran.
Hazel lost her first two ends against Derek Sobey, before she also went on an eight end winning run. A couple of bad second half ends slowed her progress.
John Matthews exacted a measure of revenge over Brian Caldwell for last Thursday's eight. John won ten of the sixteen ends in a comfortable victory.
Stuart Robertson did well to recover from 8-0 down two ends in. He won ten of the remaining fourteen ends against Gary Mackie.
The two leaders of the competition, Charlie Watt and Paul Coutts, were paired together. 11-2 up at half-time, they expected better than to hold just a three shot advantage over Harry Sutherland at the end.
Dean Dobbs turned a 5-1 deficit into a 13-6 lead over Brian Riddell. Brian won the final handful of ends to level their game.
Scores
A Coutts 25, A Porter 6; H Caldwell 20, D Sobey 8; J Matthews 19, B Caldwell 9; S Robertson 16, G Mackie 13; P Coutts 15, H Sutherland 12; D Dobbs 13, B Riddell 13.
Despite winning only two of their sets, Wednesday's hat was won by Ed Harris and Skibo McKenzie. They started and finished the session in great form, but toiled before and after tea.
Brian Caldwell was left to rue a dreadful opening set. He won all the others, finishing the day with a five.
Hazel Caldwell had a mixed afternoon. Her purple patch came either side of the break.
Sam Morrison left himself down in his final set.
Robert McRitchie did well to recover towards the end after losing half a dozen ends in a row.
Derek Crosby couldn't replicate his initial form, and twice lost a handful.
Scores
A McKenzie 7 up; B Caldwell 5 up; H Caldwell 4 up; S Morrison 1 up; R McRitchie peels; D Crosby 17 down.
Thursday's Moving Hat-Night was won by Henry Davidson, Mary Sobey and Alex Porter. Although they lost only four ends all night, two of them meant them losing their second set.
Brian Caldwell also lost only four ends. The highlight of his evening was hitting a seven at the final end.
A poor second set prevented Dean Dobbs doing better. He was behind before rallying well over the final seven ends.
John Matthews was doing well until he lost a handful at the death.
11-2 down after seven ends, Brian Riddell did remarkably well to finish ahead.
There wasn't much between Sam Morrison and his opposition after he recovered from an early 6-1 setback.
Harry Sutherland finished on a positive note, going nap at the last.
Lesley Coutts led 10-4 with seven ends to play. She was in meltdown thereafter.
Gary Mackie never really got going, winning just half a dozen ends all night.
Stuart Robertson only lost two sets, but that was enough to see him struggle.
Half a dozen ends in, Paul Coutts led 11-1. He won just one more end and lost that seven at the last.
Derek Sobey's only victory of the evening came against the eventual winners.
Scores
A Porter 14 up; B Caldwell 11 up; D Dobbs 7 up; J Matthews 2 up; B Riddell 2 up; S Morrison 1 up; H Sutherland 1 up; L Coutts 5 down; G Mackie 6 down; S Robertson 6 down; P Coutts 9 down; D Sobey 12 down.
Forres continued their dismal run of late in the Over 55s League with a 5-1 defeat at Moray.
Derek Crosby and Charlie Watt led 9-4 with half a dozen ends left of their game, but had to settle for a share of the spoils at 11-11.
Brian Caldwell and Derek Sobey lost a six as they went 12-0 down after four ends. Although they got a six of their own at the next end, and tried to fight back, they succumbed 17-14.
Ed Harris and Skibo McKenzie won their initial pair of ends, but were soon over-run in a 17-8 defeat.
Forres have two games left as they attempt to halt their slump and climb the table.
