Halkirk ‘1’ eye up league title
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HALKIRK "1" had the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Thurso and District Pool League when they entertained Comm as second-placed Weigh Inn had to call off against Ashes Bar.
The village outfit looked every bit like title favourites in the early going as the side jumped to a 4-0 lead courtesy of wins for Michael MacGregor, Jim Sutherland, Gary Oag and Keith Foubister.
Comm fought back to take the remaining two singles with Chris Sutherland and Jordan Youngson doing the honours. However, Halkirk "1" proved too strong in the doubles as they swept them all with MacGregor and Mark MacDonald securing the all-important first doubles to take the win and move their team four points clear at the top.
Top Joe’s and Popeye’s elected to play two matches in one night to make up for the game cancelled earlier in the season. Top Joe’s got off to the perfect start in the first match with Stevie Gray registering a granny straight from the break.
Scott Shearer, Andy MacGregor and Rory Hadden then helped Top Joe’s race into a 4-0 lead.
Joe Wright pulled one back for Popeye’s before Alan MacKenzie clinched the opening match by winning the final singles. Top Joe’s went on to win by a final score of 6-3.
The second match opened with the first two singles being shared. Top Joe’s then opened up a two-game lead with wins for MacKenzie and Gray.
Scott Swanson reduced the lead to 3-2, only for Shearer to once more open up the two-game advantage for Top Joe’s heading into the doubles. MacGregor and MacKenzie stepped up to clinch the match for Top Joe’s in the opening doubles.
Popeye’s dug in to win the final two doubles for a 5-4 Top Joe’s triumph, moving them into second place.
Skinandi’s were looking to climb off the bottom of the table when they travelled to the Holborn. Andy Crawford quickly put Skinandi’s in front only for Holborn to level it up in the very next singles. Skinandi’s then proceeded to blow the Holborn away by winning the last four singles for a 5-1 winning lead.
Ian Disbury, James Moodie, Rian MacGregor and Andrew Cuthbert were victorious for Skinandi’s. Holborn did manage to show some fighting qualities in the doubles but it was too little too late as Skinandi’s ran out 6-3 winners.
Week 16 results: Halkirk "1" 7, Comm 2; Top Joe’s 6, Popeye’s 3; Popeye’s 4, Top Joe’s 5; Holborn 3, Skinandi’s 6.
Week 17 action sees leaders Halkirk "1" travel to Scrabster to face Popeye’s. Elsewhere, Top Joe’s are in Skinandi’s and Weigh Inn host Holborn.
Weigh Inn and Ashes Bar are to play their cancelled week 16 fixture on Monday night.
