Yesterday in the marquee at the Standing Stones, the annual East versus West match took place. The West have been dominant in this fixture in recent times having won the last 8 contests. This year, 9 players competed for each team and the format was 3 sessions of 9 singles and all matches were the best of 3. The West edged the first session by 5 games to 4 before the East responded to tie the scores at 9 each after 2 sessions. The East then led at 12-10 and 13-12 in the last session before the west went on to snatch the final 2 matches and secure a thrilling contest by 14 games to 13. The result shows how much the gap is now closing between the 2 sides which can probably be attributed to their being much more competitive pool now in Orkney. Best players on the day were Keith Keldie and Paul Sinclair of the West and Colin Reid of the East, all of whom won their 3 singles on the day.

With popularity gaining in Orkney Pool this year, there was also an East Versus West B match which took place. The contest was a 7 aside match and like the ‘A’ game it also proved to be a very closely fought affair with the West winning it in a deciding match and by an 11-10 score line. Thanks go to all the players who partook and to the Standing Stones for the very impressive looking marquee venue, which will also be used for this weekend’s inter-county match versus Shetland.

Below, the winning A West side :- from left to right, Erik Wilson, Paul Sinclair, Stewart Keldie, Keith Keldie, Erlend Grieve, John Norquoy, Robert Gatt. Missing from photo Shaun Spence and Paul Robertson

Above, the winning West B side from left to right, Liam Harcus, Scott Sinclair, Gary Stanger, Colin Seator, Jim Kirkness, Angus Sutherland, Martin Cursiter