Match Report – 24th Feb

In the euphoric aftermath of G.B. Winter Olympic  medal success it was business as usual in Division 1 of Moray Province. As we slide towards the sharp end of the season,East of the Province pace setter Elgin’s Kenny Oswald slipped up rather ,as Sunninghill skipped by Angus Gunn dominated the opening ends of their match. A count of 5 at the third end gave the hotel team a 7-0 lead and although the Elgin four won the next 3 ends,it was to prove too little too late as the Ross combo ran out 8-5 winners. Aberlour skip Andy Cameron was in equally fine form as his team opened proceedings with a deuce and a steal of 3. Restricting Mike Macdonald to single shots in the next 3 ends, the Speyside rink then scored a further 3 count and  a single steal to give them their 9-4 win. On an adjoining sheet of ice, Willie Cameron’s team , playing without their Paralympic star Gregor Ewan were  on the wrong end of a big result against title contender Alan Campbell . The Buckie quartet scored 3’s at each of 4 separate ends in their 13-3 demolition job.
In the West, Division 1 contender Mark Fraser kept his title bid well on track with a solid 8-6 win over Ali Asher. Although winning only 3 ends to Asher’s 4 ends, a big count of 5 in end 3  ensured the Dalcross team’s victory.
In the first semi final of the Open Knockout there was success for Ardclach’s Ally Fraser.
In an absolute nail biter of a match the lead changed constantly as Andy Cameron gave the Nairnshire team a terrific contest. With  perhaps the Province’s finest second players in Fraser’s Neil Campbell and Cameron’s John Sharpe it came down to a battle of nerve,as first Cameron picked up a 2 at the penultimate end to edge into  a 4-3 lead and then Fraser a 2 of his own to just pip his Province East opponent 5-4. Fraser will now meet the winner of the second semi final between  the East’s Steve Rankin and the West’s Gus Forbes.
The Province wishes all success to Gregor Ewen and the GB Paralympic squad who travel to Beijing today to contest the curling.Good Luck,Gregor!
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