After what seems like an eternity, league action finally resumed in the KDDL last week for the first time since March 2020 and, judging by the scorecards, the standard barely seems to have dropped. Close matches, 180s and high finishes were all in abundance between both leagues.
In the 'A' league it was defending champions the Legion who started where they left off last time out with a big win over the Exiles. The Untouchables have recruited wisely it seems as they defeated regular league challengers Orkney Golf Club, whilst Sanday also started brightly against the Bilco Boys.
But it is in the 'B' league where most of the drama is expected to be this year. The majority of teams have picked up at least one player from previous 'A' teams that have gone by the wayside and it was expected to be a real tight affair this season, which seems likely to be the case if results from week one are to go by. It is anyone's guess at this stage who the two sides to gain promotion will be, but a runaway winner looks unlikely.
Friday night saw an encouraging entry for the Tom Notman Singles, which in recent years had been in decline. Gary Wilson was looking to make it three-in-a-row in the competition but he fell just short, losing out 2-1 to Robbie Stanger in the final.
This Friday the Orkney Golf Club plays host to the second of this years Ranking events, with the Pitstop Cup taking place.
180s came from:
Jamie Robertson, Toby Penwarden, Paul Foubister, Ian Findlay, Davy Henderson, Robbie Norquoy, Andrew Rendall, Jamie Anderson, Billy Ward (two), Ian Linklater (two), Jamie Drever (two), Stevie Linklater (two) Alan Findlay (two), Wayne Monkman (two) and Daryl Robertson (three). Stevie Linklater also scored 171.
High finishes came from:
Billy Ward 100, Wayne Small 100, Raymond Foubister 106, Andrew Rendall 108, Brian Moar 113, Kevin Peace 115, Lee MacPherson 117, Stevie Linklater 147 and Kevin Gray 153 &156
Results:
'A' League: Untouchables 8, OGC 4
Bilco Boys 3, Sanday 9
Exiles 2, Legion 10
'B' League: Vikings 7, Skippers 5
Murray Arms 6, Young Loons 6
Shandy Bass 2, Quoyburray 10
Shapinsay 5, Tankerness 7
Sands 6, Muppets 6
Tom Notman Singles Final: Robbie Stanger 2, Gary Wilson 1
Fixtures:
'A' League: Untouchables v Sanday
Exiles v Bilco Boys
Legion v OGC
'B' League:
Shandy Bass v Tankerness
Vikings v Muppets
Shapinsay v Young Loons
Sands v Murray Arms
Skippers v Quoyburray
Friday October 28, Pitstop Cup (Ranking), Orkney Golf Club, names by 7.30pm
Saturday November 5, Davy Cooper Memorial Singles, Masonic, 1.30pm