Harlaw bowlers are Benachie League champions
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Harlaw have emerged as Benachie League champions after defeating Newmachar 69-52.
A total of 15 Aberdeenshire Clubs are involved in two Benachie leagues, writes correspondent Mike Barron, with both Inverurie and Harlaw in the top league, based on last years’ performance.
Harlaw won undefeated with 13 points, and plus 76 shots.
With eight teams in the senior section, there are seven matches to decide the championship.
Rothienorman have a sound gents team, and they came second (11 points plus 49 shots), with Tarves third, followed by Inverurie, who had Jason Banks missing from some important matches, because of international duties.
Harlaw completed their fixtures with six wins and a draw.
This was against Rothienorman.
A loss looked on the cards with three ends to go, but with fine drawing from two rinks, they finished with 47 shots each.
Harlaw’s battle against Inverurie was their first match, and they won well by 10 shots, 60-50.
The various remaining match results were wins for Harlaw v Balgownie 55-40, against Newmachar 55-40, Pitmedden 56-38, and Tarves 68- 63, in a thrilling last end victory.
Next came the Rothienorman draw, followed by a match against Newmacher, bottom of the league.
While the score win 60- 52 seems comfortable, Fergus Muat, playing that day said: “ they gave us a fright, and it was in the last two ends we moved ahead”.
Inverurie Bowling club had a poor start to the league, winning only one of their first four matches.
They lost to Harlaw, in a usual keen derby match, 50-60, next came Pitmedden, another loss 38-60, and they then beat Newmachar well 81-41.
The third loss was against Rothienorman 41-66.
They then hit form by winning their three last matches, but it was too late to influence the final places of the league They beat Balgownie 73-63, Newhills 55-36, and finally Tarves 60- 52.
Now comes the final knock out Bennachie competitions in early August with information at https://www.facebook.com/Benachie-Association-100555775478557/ for match dates
