Sport / Sporting round-up 18 May 2026
THREE pairs from Lerwick Outdoor Bowling Club went down to play in the St Fergus open pairs competition this past weekend.
This was a very high-profile competition, including players like Michael Stepney and others who have represented Scotland in national competitions.
Two of Shetland’s teams made it through to the last 16, which was a fantastic result.
Both teams met very stiff opposition. Colin Bain and Ian Leiper narrowly missed out going through to the quarter-finals, being beaten by last year’s winners.
They were down in the first half but made a fantastic comeback and were just pipped at the post.
Willie and Wasana Coutts were never far away from their opposition and just missed out in a very hard-fought game. They were beaten by the eventual runners-up.
Alan Smith and Bob Brandie were the other pair that travelled down to play in this tournament but were unsuccessful, losing all their games in three very tight matches.
THREE of table tennis’ top title winners were in Shetland this week to deliver training sessions.
Alan Cooke, Nicola Deaton and Kelly Sibley have won 16 English senior single titles between them as well as medals at European and Commonwealth games.
They ran a session on Friday night for a group of younger juniors, then on Saturday and Sunday put the top seniors and juniors through a more in-depth session.
They also put on an exhibition in the Clickimin on Saturday night, when nearly 100 people packed in to the multi-use to take in the event.
It was a combination of high-level competition and comedy, with Alan and Kelly showing their adaptability by playing with a frying pan, a two-inch bat and a Viking axe.
Shetland Table Tennis Association said its players and coaches could not have been more impressed by the knowledge the three brought, and hope they can be enticed to return in the future.
THE WEDNESDAY afternoon Simpson pairs bowls competition is celebrating its 30th year in 2026 with the maximum eight teams entering.
Three teams won their games, with new pairing Bill Christey and Norman Manson topping the table on shot difference beating John Jarmson and Catherine Robertson (sub for Caroline Smith) by 17 shots to 12.
Another new pairing, Ann Napier and Rosie Jamieson, beat Gordon Stevenson and Jean Jarmson 15-12.
Last year’s winners Alex Elphinstone and Anne Robertson also won their game but only after coming from behind to win by two shots, 20-18, against Margaret Robertson and Jim Wood.
The remaining game of the afternoon, Ian Scott and Gibbie Pottinger (sub for Ewen MacRitchie) and opponents Eric Muir and Billy Hay, ultimately ended in a draw with both teams on 16 shots.
ORKNEY’S Holm overcame Shetland Parish Cup winners Burra on Saturday to lift the inter-parish cup.
George Ewing was the only goalscorer as Holm won 1-0 to lift the trophy, seeing off a strong Burra team in Hamnavoe.
In the Shetland football season, the four semi-finalists have been settled for the Northwards Manson Cup.
Holders Spurs romped into the last four to beat Thistle 8-1 on Friday, while Ness narrowly saw off Scalloway 2-1.
Whalsay beat Celtic 1-0 to complete the line-up, with Whitedale earning a bye.
League champions Whitedale await holders Spurs in the first grudge match since last season’s league title controversy, with their semi-final taking place next Monday night.
Ness host Whalsay in the other fixture.
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