The weather sadly was again the main feature of the final day’s play of this year’s league. Winds gusting to 35-40 mph made morning conditions very difficultfor all teams. Nairn coped better against Forres and came out on top to lead the table but in perhaps the surprise result Nairn Dunbar held Moray to a 4-4 draw. The effect of this was the title decider between Nairn and Moray meant a win for either team would secure the Shield but Nairn had the slight advatage of a draw would still allow them to retain the Shield on countback.

However, difficult those the morning conditions were, the afternoon was worse when driving rain arrived from mid-afternoon. Had it not been a match-play event play would have almost certainly had to be stopped.

With the wind rising, a number of flags blew out of their holes. One pitch shot which Alec Scott thought he had holed with his ball wedged between the rim and flagstick only to have the wind cause the flagstick to pop the ball back out before he could reach it.

All the players were facing their second round of the day and defied the elements to produce a tight finish to keep everyone on the course supporting their teammates once their own match had ended.

The early advantage went to Moray with wins for Kevin Thomson and Brian Hendry which was offset by Alec Scott taking a point for Nairn. Two halved matches followed for team captain Steven MacDonald and Sean Burgess. Robert Smith then pulled Nairn level before Fraser Fotheringham secured the fourth critical point. Moray’s Malcolm MacLeman beat Bruce Thomson on the final green to tie the match but that was not enough by half a point to take the Shield back to Lossiemouth.

Sunshine greeted the players for a pleasant change although the mountain tops were still snow covered. Moray took full advantage of the better conditions to edge out Forres and go top of the table overnight.

Nairn in their only game of the day went 4-0 up against Elgin winning three of them on the 18th. However, the Elgin top order were in control and when Neil McWilliam and Mark Ross each won their second matches of this year’s competition, Elgin had fought back to draw 4-4.

So for the Sunday afternoon it is looking like Moray and Nairn will be the decider but only if Nairn can first beat Forres in the morning. Elgin and Forres cannot be discounted but would require other results to go in their favour.

Moray have a convincing win over Elgin 6-2. The course was wet with a strong northerly wind testing the players especially on the greens.

Nairn, set off to defend the G.R. Thomson Shield with a convincing win over local rivals Nairn Dunbar on a cold wet night. Fraser Fotheringham playing in the top game was one of the first off the course after an 8/7 victory which was all the more impressive for being 4 under par at the turn with the strong wind coming off the Firth from the north-east adding to the players’ difficulties. The rest of his teammates made home advantage count to record a final 7-1 scoreline.

Tomorrow another derby with Elgin taking on Moray.

Nairn, having regained the Shield from Moray who had held it for the past two years, will be looking forward to defending it on their home course. If successful it would give them their 19th win in the 65 year history of the League.

Whilst both clubs who have won the last seven titles between them will once again be favourites, Elgin who have the most wins with 28 and Forres who have enjoyed success over the Nairn links in the past cannot be discounted.

For Nairn Dunbar it will be 30 years this year since the last time they had their name on the Shield and that was held at Nairn….so could this be their year?

Hourly updates of the results will be posted over the weekend.