With a reprieve from cup competitions for a week, all eyes were focussing once more on league action. Exiles have been top of the Williamsons Butchers 'A' league for most of the season but seem to be experiencing a slump in form. Last week's draw with OGC was followed this week with another draw to second bottom Ale Stars, who almost pulled off a real shock. Untouchables narrowly lost out to the Legion but managed to squeeze past Sanday in a rearranged game to remain two points adrift but with a game against the Muppets in hand. The Muppets themselves were thrashed by Sanday whilst the Golf Club defeated Tankerness.
The promotion race in the 'B' league continues to be an exciting watch. Sands had looked good in recent weeks but a draw against Quoyburray 'B' has seen them lose ground but remain in close contention. The Bilco Boys had a good win over Vikings to remain second, with The Toonies whitewashing the Young Farmers to maintain the best game difference of the chasing pack. League leaders Wanderers have never been off top spot all season and recorded their sixth whitewash of the campaign with a win over the Young Loons, which sees them secure promotion due to the remaining fixture schedule of the teams immediately below them. The Wanderers look set to obliterate the record games difference in the 'B' League set by the Exiles in the 2018-19 season, but defeat to the Sands a few weeks ago ended any chance of surpassing the Exiles points tally.
Tomorrow evening the Mixed Doubles takes place in the Legion with the chance to get a shot at the Orkney Mixed Doubles title in late April on offer to the winners.
180s were scored by: Bruce Moar, Stevie Linklater, Kevin Sarling, Stevie Garner, Wayne Monkman, Ian Findlay, Graham Firth, Paul Foubister, Lee Rendall, Andy Green, Logan Peace, Keith Brumpton, James Flett, Ryan Wilkie, Michael Muir (two), Gordy Rendall (two), Robbie Stanger (two), Brett Dickinson (two), Trevor Shearer (two). There were additional high scores of 177 from Kevin Gray and 171 from Scott Wilson and Billy Ward (two).
High Checkouts: Gordy Rendall 100, Keith Brumpton 101, Brett Dickinson 101, Brian Moar 104, Ben Hogan 105, Bruce Moar 110, Ian Linklater 117, Toby Penwarden 123, Keith Holland 123, Stevie Garner 161, Scott Wilson (104, 114), Jamie Tulloch (115, 119) and Aidan Nicolson (120, 122).
Short Legs: Robbie Stanger 15, Ian Findlay 15, Paul Foubister 15, Ryan Wilkie 15, Ivan Rendall/Graham Reid 14, Erlend Lennie 14, Kevin Sarling 14, Ian Linklater/Billy Ward 13, Kevin Gray (15, 15, 14).
Results:
'A' League:
Ale Stars 6, Exiles 6
OGC 8, Tankerness 4
Muppets 0, Sanday 12
Untouchables 5, Legion 7
Untouchables 7, Sanday 5
'B' League:
EMYFC 0, The Toonies 12
Bilco Boys 10, Vikings 2
Quoyburray 8, Shandy Bass 4
Quoyburray 'B' 6, Sands 6
Young Loons 0, Wanderers 12
Quoyburray 'B' 4, Quoyburray 8
Fixtures:
'A' League:
Ale Stars v Sanday
OGC v Muppets
Untouchables v Tankerness
Exiles v Legion
'B' League: Quoyurray v The Toonies
Shandy Bass v Vikings
Bilco Boys v Sands
EMYFC v Wanderers
Quoyburray 'B' v Murray Arms
Rough 'n' Rowdy v Young Loons
Friday February 28, Mixed Doubles, Legion, 7.30pm
Friday March 7, 'B' League Singles ('B' Ranking), Masonic, 7.30pm