Inexperienced and seasoned bowlers pair up for success in a busy week at Forres Bowling Club
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A couple of dozen players finished the final practice hat-night tonight chilled to the bone.
However, newcomer Robert McRitchie and old hand, John Ross emerged with a glow after their overall winning score of 27 up. They led Henry Davidson 17-2 with seven ends played, and dropped just four ends throughout.
Despite losing the initial three ends, John Matthews went nap twice as he brushed Brian Caldwell aside.
Two fours in a row mid-game helped Sandy Burgess lead Malcolm Swinswood 15-3 with half a dozen ends left. Malcolm then scored three threes to narrow the deficit.
Dean Dobbs led Gary Mackie 10-5 before losing five ends on the spin to trail 11-10. Dean recovered over the final three ends.
Having led 6-0 and then 15-8, Paul Coutts was left clinging on to victory as Brian Riddell responded to win the final four ends.
Nine shots scored over the final four ends turned the game for Marjory McCarthy in her match against Stuart Robertson.
Scores: J Ross 32, H Davidson 5; J Matthews 28, B Caldwell 8; A Burgess 17, M Swinswood 13; D Dobbs 14, G Mackie 11; P Coutts 15, B Riddell 13; M McCarthy 17, S Robertson 15.
There was a lesson to be learnt from the first Wednesday afternoon hat of the season. After deciphering the scorecards, no easy feat as some were written in pencil (or chalk on slate), it became clear that the overall winners were John Murdoch and Alana Coutts. They won three of their four sets.
Peggy Locke also only lost one set, but was a distant second.
Ed Harris did well to recover from his hammering in his initial set. His only defeat thereafter was on a coin toss.
It was a mixed afternoon for Brian Caldwell, alternating between narrow victories and heavy defeats.
Derek Crosby only won one set, but that was a decent victory over the eventual winners.
Sam Morrison managed to win his second set, but that was his only highlight on an otherwise poor performance.
Scores: A Coutts 18 up; P Locke 7 up; E Harris 4 up; B Caldwell 7 down; D Crosby 8 down; S Morrison 14 down.
Entries are beginning to come in for the Forres Open Pairs being held over the weekend of May 13-14.
The deadline for entries to this David Petrie Handyman sponsored competition is this Sunday (May 7).
