Moray played Nairn in he morning in a tie that would go a long way to deciding this year’s league and got off to the best of starts with wins by Jake Scott and Graham Murray. However the experienced duo of Bruce Thomson and Robert Smith levelled the scores before the top order took three of the remaining four games for a crucial 5-3 win. Elgin and Nairn Dunbar meanwhile had a close contest all the way which finished in a 4-4 tie.

The afternoon saw Moray and Forres play with victory essential if either were going to win although both needed Nairn to slip up against Nairn Dunbar to overtake them. Moray proved victorious but with four games going to the last, it could have gone either way.

Nairn looked in control early on against their local rivals but as games went into the back nine Nairn Dunbar had pulled level which if it had stayed like that then it would have allowed Moray to win on a countback of games won. However, things started to swing Nairn’s way and after Brian Watson had won his game for Nairn Dunbar it was left to Nairn number one Sandy Scott to beat Wille Barron on the final green to cement a 6-2 win and with it retain the Shield.

Moray opened their campaign with a convincing 6-2 win over near neighbours Elgin. The two winners from the mid-week games played in the other morning match when Forres and Nairn met. Nairn introduced the youngest ever player in the League Calum Scott aged 12 who promptly started with a birdie three to go one up! However Stuart Maclennan’s experience told in the end going on to win 4/3. The games were all close and it finally came down to Jeff Wright who beat Calum’s elder brother, Sandy, 2/1 to secure a 4-4 tie and leave both clubs at the top of the table.

In the afternoon games Moray were in top form and did not lose a game with only David Bunker able to salvage some pride for Nairn Dunbar in halving his game. A Forres win over Elgin would put them top of the table overnight but it was not to be as Elgin put early points on the board in a serious of close matches with 5 games ending on the final green.

Tomorrow sees Moray in pole position but with Nairn then Forres to face can take nothing for granted.

Nairn Dunbar took on hosts Forres in their opening match and the lower order secured an early advantage thanks to Kenny Donnelly holing a 10 foot birdie putt on the 18th for a one hole win over Stuart MacLennan and Richard Johnstone coming back from being 3 down early on with a four under par burst at the start of the back nine to set up a 3/2 win plus Lorne Miller winning his game on the 17th green. Forres got on the board when Thomas Bell in his league debut won the 18th to halve his game with the experienced Graham Burnett and it was followed by wins for Mike Murdoch, Robert McKerron and Bryan Fotheringham to bring the scores level. In the deciding game between the Jeff Wright and Willie Barron, Jeff maintained his one hole advantage on the 18th to give Forres what seemed an unlikely victory at one stage.

Nairn opened their 2016 campaign with a comprehensive win over Elgin. Elgin started well with Steven Milne getting the better of Alec Scott but although the Elgin top order ran their respective opponents close with three games going to the final green, it was Nairn who came through to win 7-1 overall.

Nairn will be looking to continue their level of success in recent years when they defend the Shield at Forres this May. Led by Scottish Boy Internationalist Sandy Scott they will be the team to beat especially at Forres which is one of their favourite venues having won on four out of the last five occasions the League has visited Muiryshade.

The year they did not (2001)it was the hosts who prevailed and with League stalwart Bryan Fotheringham in their ranks will be very competitive on their home course and 2016 could bring a first success since 2004.

Moray will be hoping to improve on their runner up spot in 2015 where Elgin were more competitive again. Nairn Dunbar if they can field the team they had in 2014 when winning the Shield will ensure another close competition.