Nairn Dunbar after 32 years of waiting secured the G.R. Thomson Shield for the first time since 1982 and fourth time in the history of the League. Sharing top spot overnight with Forres they slipped up against Nairn in the morning games when from a strong position they let things slip as Andrew Burgess, Bruce Thomson and Sandy Ritchie took vital points for Nairn to allow their local rivals to take the honours 4½-3½.

Forres meanwhile edged out Elgin in another close match with Grant Stuart clinching the vital half point in the last game on the course. This set up a league decider with the hosts but for Forres the advantage of a draw would suffice to take their first title since 2004. For much of the afternoon it looked that it was going to go that way until Darren Pitchforth finished strongly to win his game and give Nairn Dunbar both points to bring them level with Forres but take that long awaited success on a countback of individual games won.

In the final game with only local pride at stake Elgin lost their second match of the day by the narrowest margins to local rivals Moray.

Nairn got their title hopes back on track with a close hard fought victory over Elgin in the morning series of matches. With Nairn needing a half point for the win from the final game on the course, Fraser Fotheringham was one down playing the last but birdied it to half his match with Jordan Milne and secure the two points for the team.

Forres had an equally close game with Moray and the teams were level before Bryan Fotheringham won his game to maintain the Forres 100% record.

Nairn Dunbar joined Forres at the top when they took both points from Elgin. The strength in depth of Nairn Dunbar ensured a winning position before the last two games finished and with the last series of matches on Sunday afternoon pitting Nairn Dunbar against Forres it could well turn out to be the title decider.

A new name for the first time in 10 years will appear on the Shield as Moray , whose hopes were ended earlier in the day, put paid to Nairn’s chances as they won 5-3. However, Nairn may well have a significant say in who wins the league as they take on local rivals Nairn Dunbar in the morning.

The two clubs who have won the league for the last 9 years between them both lost their opening games when Nairn Dunbar defeated Moray after the Forres win over Nairn the previous night. For Nairn Dunbar this was their first victory over the team from Lossiemouth in 13 years and with home advantage could well be the team to beat this year. Elgin enter the competition tomorrow morning when they face Nairn.

Forres took on Nairn who were going for a fourth successive league title in the league and recorded a well deserved victory. The top three games were shared but the Forres lower order had the measure of their opponents to get their campaign off to the best possible start . Forres have a history of playing well at Nairn Dunbar which was the venue the last time they won the league in 2004.

Nairn, having retained the Shield last year at Elgin, will be going for a fourth win in a row: a feat not achieved since the legendary Elgin team of the 1980’s.

Moray will be sure to mount a serious challenge with Elgin and Forres capable of running the top two in recent years close. Nairn Dunbar with home advantage will almost certainly pick up points over the weekend so much to look forward to with in all probability it going to the last series of matches to decide the title.