The Moray and Nairn Handicap League had its traditional climax to the season in Super Sunday which this year was hosted by Nairn Dunbar.

The day started with the outcome of the title resting between last year’s winners, Moray and Hopeman looking for their first win in seven years. The draw had them facing each other but Hopeman started favourites as a win or draw would give them the trophy whilst Moray required a win. That small margin was to prove decisive.

Moray had the overall edge for much of the afternoon but it was Hopeman who got the first points on the board when Chris MacKenzie at the top of his game scored an early point which was then followed by Wayne Jeynes winning 3/2.

Dave Clarence in a tight game that finished on the last green also got the better of his Moray opponent until Richard Denning opened the Lossie team’s account. With Moray’s Stephen Houston, James Stephen and Terry Scholefield all being in control of their matches, the outcome was always going to hinge on Hopeman team captain, Ernie Hayes against his opposite number on the Moray team, Ben Whitefoot.

The game was close all the way but one up with one to play in Hopeman’s favour, a half on the par 5 eighteenth was enough to give a final 4-4 score line and Hopeman were celebrating their first League win since 2010.

Hopeman now are level with Elgin as joint leaders on 5 wins a piece over the 22 year history of the Handicap League.
In the two other matches Elgin drew with hosts Nairn Dunbar whilst Nairn had a convincing 6-2 win over Forres to take third place behind runners up Moray

Super Sunday also marked the final competition for Alan Stanfield, the League Secretary, after 30 years in the role.  Ernie Hayes, presented Alan with engraved whisky glasses on behalf of all the Member Clubs to compliment the crystal decanter he received from the Scratch League teams in May.

Two home wins for Nairn and Elgin by similar margins ensured only individual games won separates the teams, apart from Hopeman who have yet to have the advantage of playing a home match.

Moray opened the 2017 League season with a home win over Nairn Dunbar. The final score does not reflect the closeness of the match played in bright but testing conditions with a strong wind off the sea. Four of the games were only settled on the final green with two of the others going to the 17th. Nairn Dunbar will be looking to reverse that scoreline when they take on near neighbours Nairn at home this coming weekend.

Whilst the Scratch League was being played at Nairn, Nairn Dunbar hosted their near neighbours Handicap league Team and in a close encounter came out on top with David Proctor provding the crucial half point. Forres got their campaign off to a good start the same day with a win at home over Elgin, although with two halved matches and another two ending on the final green there was little between the sides.

After their success last year, Moray will be hoping to repeat that at Super Sunday on 27th August. However before then all teams will have the usual very competitive two home and two away matches with the premium on not slipping up at home whilst finding a point or two in one of the away fixtures. For Moray it was getting a draw at Nairn Dunbar before a Super Sunday victory over Hopeman that made the difference.