NORTHERN COUNTIES CUP FIRST-DAY RESULTS AT LOSSIEMOUTH

Newmachar's Mark McKechnie, Chris Simpson, John Duff (pictured left) and Richard Barr began their defence of the Northern Counties Cup, in the 100th staging of the inter-club double foursomes match-play tournament, by thrashing Orkney 2 by 16 holes over the Moray Golf Club's Old Course links at Lossiemouth.. They will surely face a stiffer test on Friday morning against Royal Aberdeen 1 although they were extended to achieve a two-hole winning margin over the Newmachar 2 team. Murcar Links looked impressive in a four-hole victory over Nairn 1. Results: FIRST ROUND Newmachar 2 w.o. Deeside scr. Nairn Dunbar bt Strathpeffer 1 by one hole. Tain w.o. Duff House Royal scr. Brora bt Muir of Ord by three holes. SECOND ROUND Newmachar 1 bt Orkney 2 by 16 holes. Royal Aberdeen 1 bt Newmachar 2 by two holes. Peterhead bt Inverness 2 at 19th. Nairn Dunbar bt Turriff by six holes. Nairn 2 bt Royal Dornoch 2 by one hole.  Cruden Bay 1 bt Fortrose at 19th. Meldrum House bt Torvean 2 by four holes. Elgin 1 bt Orkney 1 at 19th. Murcar Links bt Nairn 1 by four holes. Moray 1 bt Tain by two holes. Royal Aberdeen 2 bt Cruden Bay 2 by nine holes. Brora bt Moray 2 by seven holes. Inverness 1 bt Torvean 1 by four holes. McDonald Ellon bt Banchory by four holes. Royal Dornoch 1 bt Elgin 2 by one hole. Nigg Bay bt Forres by nine holes.