Excellent start for bowls team at Isle of Wight tournament

The Shetland bowling team made an excellent start in the inter-island tournament in the Isle of Wight, which began on Monday.

Both the Shetland fours teams won their first games, as did Graham Jamieson in the men’s singles.

In the men’s fours Ian Leiper, John Sharp, Gibbie Pottinger and John Sales started well against the Isle of Wight and were leading 10-4 after seven ends. The home team, which included two very good under-25s, fought back and reduced their deficit to only two shots by end 15.

With only three ends to play, Shetland scored a four in end 16 but the Isle of Wight immediately came back with a three in the next. Shetland had to fight hard during a very tense final end, eventually winning 21-16.

The women’s fours team of Effie Watt, Marion Henry, Moira Stevenson and Margaret Burnett had a comfortable 34-5 win over the team from Ynys Mon (Anglesey) who were handicapped by the lack of any crown green facilities at home.

The Welsh team obviously enjoyed the opportunity to play on an indoor rink but could not overcome their lack of experience. Shetland played well throughout.

In the men’s singles Graham Jamieson had a confident 21-7 win against Duncan MacLean of the Western Isles while Rosie Jamieson beat her Alderney opponent 21-5 in the women’s singles.

Shetland’s men’s pairs team of Alex Elphinstone and Ally Bain were beaten 15-20 by Isle of Man.

Orkney also had a good start, winning all four of their games.

In the women’s pairs, Rae Lennie and Jean Hourston beat the Ynys Mon  team 17-15 while in the men’s competition Jack Foubister and Allan McCafferty comfortably beat the Alderney pair 23-8.

In the singles competition, a confident and determined Richard Graham beat an experienced Alderney  player 21-8  while Freda Swanney overwhelmed her Ynys Mon opponent 21-0.