Thurso memorial triples a big attraction

THURSO Bowling Club held its first over-50s’ round-robin mixed triples last week for the Willie McDonald Memorial Shield.

Mr McDonald had been a popular and colourful member of the club for many years and when his family donated a trophy it was felt appropriate to stage the type of competition which he had travelled to and supported all over the area.

The competition quickly attracted entrants with the 24 places rapidly filled as teams from as far away as Brora and Kirkwall signed up.

The format split the teams into two groups of 12 with each playing four rounds of games.

At the end of the group one games, the close nature of the competition was reflected in the fact exactly half the teams had six points from three wins and one defeat.

Shot difference was required to decide the Brora trio of Walter McBeath, Robert Murray and Catherine Jones had taken top place with 19 points.

With two teams on 18 a further decider of total shots was needed to place Kirkwall’s John Rendall, Freda and Billy Swanney ahead of Derek and Liz Rhodes and Maggie Patterson.

Group two results replicated the earlier section as six more teams ended with three wins and one defeat.

Best shot difference of 26 gave top place to Plainfield’s Alan Pickthall, teamed with home players Andy Miller and Joan Bridges.

Ronnie Bain, Dar Sutherland and Marie Mackay’s 15 put them one shot ahead of the opposition into second place.

Both semis were tight affairs with Ronnie and his team beating the Brora triple in a match with a burnt end and a no-score, while Alan and his players needed an extra end to beat the Kirkwall team.

The decisive last two ends of the final gave victory to Alan, Andy and Joan over Ronnie, Dar and Marie.

Linda Sutherland, Willie’s daughter, presented the prizes after the competition which was attended by many members of his family.