Halkirk teams lead the way
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HAVING not played in the opening week due to a call off from the Comm, Popeye’s faced the daunting task of a trip to play last season’s runners-up, Halkirk "1", in week two of the Thurso and District Pool League.
Popeye’s started well taking the first singles but Halkirk "1" turned the tables by winning the next two courtesy of James Alan and Stevie Elder.
Unfazed by this Popeye’s responded by clinching the following two games to regain the lead 3-2 through wins for Graeme Henderson and Mark Cannop. Keith Foubister won the final singles to level the match heading into the doubles.
However, with the match on the line Halkirk "1" responded by sweeping the doubles for a 6-3 triumph.
Champions Top Joe’s were looking to bounce back at home against new boys Skinandi’s. Unfortunately for the boys from the club, Top Joe’s were in no mood for messing this week. After securing the opening three singles with wins for Scott Tait, Rory Hadden and Andy MacGregor, Rian MacGregor clinched the fourth game to finally put Skinandi’s on the board.
This turned out to be their one and only win of the night as Stevie Gray and Alan MacKenzie closed out the match for Top Joe’s by winning the last two singles. Top Joe’s then went on to win all the doubles for an emphatic 8-1 scoreline.
Holborn entertained Weigh Inn in their first home match, with the visitors still on a high from last week’s triumph over Top Joe’s.
David McGillivray got Weigh Inn off to the perfect start with an excellent granny against Kyle Innes. Liam Wann and Martin Cowie then won a couple of close games to give Holborn the lead 2-1. Making his first appearance of the season, Stevie Wylie then produced a good clearance to level the match.
Another couple of tight games were then won by the Holborn thanks to Michael Robertson and Shaun Trueman for a 4-2 lead heading into the doubles.
Mark Alexander and Robbie MacGregor kept the Weigh Inn’s hopes alive by winning the first doubles only for Scott Davidson and Cowie to win the match for the Holborn in the second doubles. Weigh Inn then took the final doubles but it was too little too late and they lost 5-4.
Ashes Bar got their season under way with a visit from Halkirk "2". Craig MacIntosh got them off to the perfect start by defeating Gavin Swanson in the opening singles. However, Halkirk "2" showed they will be a team to be reckoned with this year by rattling off the next five singles, with Matthew Mackay clinching the match in the final frame.
Halkirk "2" then proceeded to win two of the doubles’ games for a comfortable final scoreline of 7-2. With this win it meant that the two Halkirk teams are side by side at the top of the table after the first two weeks
Comm had the bye week.
Results – Halkirk "1" 6, Popeye’s 3; Top Joe’s 8, Skinandi’s 1; Holborn 5, Weigh Inn 4; Ashes Bar 2, Halkirk "2" 7.
Week three action sees the first derby of the season with Ashes Bar facing off against the Weigh Inn.
Elsewhere, Top Joe’s take on Popeye’s in Scrabster, Halkirk "1" travel to meet the Comm and the league newcomers meet in Skinandi’s where Holborn are the visitors.
Halkirk "2" have the bye week.
