Moray and Nairn League win by Nairn

By ROBIN WILSON
On the 68^th staging of the Moray and Nairn Golf League, host club Moray had high hopes of regaining the G R Thomson Shield they last won five years ago but in a showdown final tie against Nairn they were only able to share the points which left Nairn the champions for a fourth time in five years.

Since 1990 Nairn have become the dominant club in the league with 10 league successes and last weekend they opened with a 5-3 win over Forres while Moray made the worst of starts, on the receiving end of a 5½ – 2½ defeat from neighbouring rivals Elgin.

In their only Saturday tie Nairn recorded a win over Elgin when Robert Smith brought in the vital point against Andrew Moir to split the 3½ -3½ tie to 4½ to 3½  in their favour. However Moir in this game added to league history by being being the youngest player to record a hole in one when he aced the par three 4th hole using a six iron.

Sunday was decisive for all clubs. Nairn maintained their 100% record with a comfortable 6-2 win in the derby match with the holders Nairn Dunbar to set up a potential title decider with Moray in the final afternoon game. Moray were equally impressive in beating Forres. 

So a Nairn win or draw would be enough to regain the Shield but a Moray win would put them level on points but ahead of Nairn on games won difference.

 Elgin faced a Nairn Dunbar team determined to finish on a positive note and when Freddie Brown won 4 and 3 the match was drawn 4-4 to end Elgin’s challenge. Moray started well against Nairn and quickly established a 3-0 lead. However the top games were all favouring Nairn and Andrew Burgess, Robert Smith and Fraser Fotheringham brought the match level. 

Sandy Scott went down to his first defeat of the weekend to Chris Stuart but Sean Burgess maintained his unbeaten record to win 3 and 2 over Kyle Godsman, and give Nairn the crucial point.

Stalwart of many league campaigns, Robert Smith also enjoyed an unbeaten weekend and contributing three wins from their four games were the Nairn younger trio of Scott Burgess, Sandy Scott and Finlay Asher. 

Match Results

Elgin 5.5, Moray 2.5

Nairn 5, Forres 3

Nairn Dunbar 4.5, Forres 3.5

Elgin 3.5, Nairn 4.5

Moray 6.5, Nairn Dunbar 0.5

Forres 3, Elgin 5

Nairn 6, Nairn Dunbar 2

Forres 1.5, Moray 6.5

Nairn Dunbar 4, Elgin 4

Moray 4, Elgin 4.

  See Moray and Nairn Golf League website for detailed match results.