The final of the Moray Province Open Knockout.

played at Moray Leisure Centre, resulted in a nail biting finish,Ryan Mackenzie showing nerves of steel to outdraw Andy Cameron in a pot lid draw shootout after the teams had peeled at 6-6 after regulation time. Mackenzie’s team had forged ahead following a count of 4 at the fifth end, after Cameron had attempted a double take out and then a back stone freeze which just rubbed off the shot stone, leaving Ryan a gentle chip back for his 4.
A steal at the next end for Mackenzie and a single at the seventh for Cameron made it 6-4 and the hammer going into the final end for the Ballindalloch boys. They managed to keep things fairly clear until 2 good hidden draws from Cameron’s third player Gavin Nicol gave his team a glimmer of hope. Ryan’s first take out was good, but the shot was replaced by Andy. Ryan was now slightly wide with his attempted open hit to win and he slid past the shot with room to spare to lose a two and peel the game.
There was an audible groan from the Ballindalloch front three,which was repeated when Andy drew his extra shot beautifully to 5 inches from the button. However, the Ballindalloch skip more than made amends with a fabulous draw which finished 2 inches from the bullseye,giving Ryan and his team of Alan McIntyre , Robert Bremner and Tony Duncan what was overall,a deserved win.
In League division 4

Brian Cantlay did his promotion hopes a turn with two good wins over bottom placed Colin Gauld and then hopped ahead of previously second placed James Carter’s Juniors. Alastair Maltman consolidated his mid table spot with a comeback from 4-0 down to win the last 4 ends and pip Jim Farquhar 6-4, while in the battle of the Juniors, Molly Keen confirmed a division win with a good 8-6 defeat of James Carter

In Division 5,

There were cheers all round for Finlay Sutherland’s first points of the season, with a super, solid win over Linda Hardie .Helen Downey got the better of out of practice Sandra McIvor with a 7-3 victory and Mike Mckenzie’s Aberlour rink wrapped up a division win with a convincing 10-4 win over Andrew Allardyce. Mike now has a perfect played 10 won 10 record.
B.J.