Two bad days for Hilden

Hilden on the other hand could only get half-a-point away to fellow title challengers, Shorts, thanks to Jonathan McMullan, on Thursday night which shot Shorts to the top.

It was essential for them to bounce back at Malone but the home team upset the plans and Hilden probably need another point or two to gain promotion while their title hopes appear to be in tatters.

Three threes helped Frazer Thompson to a 15-5 lead at the tenth and 16-8 at 15 ends. Robert Kirkwood never really recovered and lost by five shots.

After dropping a three and two fours Brian Cheyne was 3-16 down at the tenth. Maurice Kirkwood added a four and though dropping a three led 27-6 at 15 ends and won by 28 shots.

Two threes helped Steven Kirkwood to a 13-10 lead at the tenth but David Nelson came back to lead 16-15 at 15 ends. In a tight finish it was Malone who got home by a shot.

After starting with a four Eric Mairs was 9-8 ahead at the tenth but Jonathan McMullan went 13-12 up at 15 ends. However, it was Malone who came away with a six shots win.

J. Finlay, A. Logan, B. Carson, F. Thompson 22, B. Winters, S. Dodds, H. McMullan, R. Kirkwood 17; J. Halliday, R. Mairs, D. Magee, B. Cheyne 7, A. Miskelly, J. Liggett, D. Sloan, M. Kirkwood 35; R. Wilson, R. Cottell, H. McDonald, D. Nelson 20, A. Carlisle, D. Ferguson, R. Keag, S. Kirkwood 19; U. Ramsey, M. Scott, I. McKay, E. Mairs 23, P. Harvey, J. Grant, C. Montgomery, J. McMullan 17.

- Hilden B lost by 19 shots at home to Forth River B and had to settle for 1.5 points in Private Greens Junior Two.

Down 6-11 at the tenth and 10-13 at 15 ends Gary Finlay came back but dropped the shot at the last end and had to settle for a draw.

At the tenth Drew Harron was 11-7 ahead but 13-15 down at 15 ends and Hilden lost by five shots.

Down 7-8 at the tenth Robin Campbell fell to 8-19 five ends later and lost by 20 shots.

Dspite lifting a three Hugh Murray was 9-12 down at the tenth but he came back well and after lifting a four at 19 ends Hilden won by six shots.

M. Smyth, D. Dawson, C. Morrison, G. Finlay 16, J. O’Neill 16; A. Harron, D. Bell, M. McClean, D. Harron 16, G. Butler 21; B. Garrett, E. Finlay, J. Jordan, R. Campbell 11, J. Green 31; V. Bryans, L. Finlay, J. Wedlock, H. Murray 22, R. Anderson 16.