13/12/17
This week’s Moray Province curling ,saw the second two open knockout quarter finals both going the way of teams from the West. This meant a clean sweep of the quarters for the West with teams from Nairn making up three of the semi finalists.
Ally Fraser and his Ardclach team are probably favourites after an 8-0 trouncing of Ryan Mackenzie’s knockout cup holders. The Ballindalloch lads were happy to shake hands after 6 ends.
In the other quarter final, Nairn’s Ali Asher was always ahead against Alan Campbell, a two against the hammer in the fifth end allowing him to ease to an 8-5 win.
Meanwhile, in the East Province Leagues there was a heavy defeat for Bill Jaffrey’s Division 2 leaders .Mike Macdonald ‘s
Forres rink were unstoppable, winning all but one end. The Fochabers team was extremely lucky to get 1 in a 13-1 drubbing.
In Division 3 , Brian Cantlay raced to a 5-0 lead over Eddie Milne before the Darnaway rink fought back to lead 7-6 going into the last end. Although Eddie lay 2 shots, Rob Tyson had a chance of a peel with his last stone. He needed a hit and roll,but was unlucky to catch too thin a contact and his shooter ran out to let Eddie pick up 2 more for a 9-6 win.
Jamie Rankin’s Juniors had a brilliant win against the Division 4 unbeaten leaders. Mike Mckenzie’s rink took a three at the first end and a consolation three at the last, but in between, the youngsters were absolutely solid , and pick ups of 4 at the third and 3 at the fifth end gave them a superb 11-7 victory .
Alastair Maltman’s Bank team were always ahead against Elgin’s Jim Farquhar ,winning 5 ends in a 9-3win.
In Division 5 Finlay Sutherland’s Junior rink had another good win, this time over Gill Valentine’s Forres girls . Gill could only manage three singles whilst the Juniors, with Olympic gold experience at skip in the shape of Janice Rankin, were wonderfully efficient in winning five ends running away to victory with five shots in the final two ends.
B.J.