STEWARTRY V LANARKSHIRE – DALBEATTIE 15/05/10

After the disappointment of last week and going up against a Lanarkshire team smarting from a last bowl loss against Dumfries, this looked a very tough proposition. However whether it was the presentation of the scoreboard from McGaw Electrical, Poloshirts from Martin and Green and Zippers from Stewartry Care, but this was a much different Stewartry team who gave everything throughout the game.

Rink 1 saw Martin McClymont after last weeks unlucky draw; show great play throughout from all 4 players and big shots from Alan and Martin when it mattered. Slight change in front end seemed to settle young Ronan and ever dependable Ian gave the 2 Cly’s a good platform to work with and they were always in control and pulled away last 6 ends to produce a great win 23-11. 

Rink 2 and again Alister and Reech were up against an in form Robert Grant, this match could really have slipped away from the boys nut they dug in really well and a couple of turnouts worked against them or this would have been very close. But at the crucial last 3 ends they pulled back 4 shots which would a huge difference at the end.

Rink 3 was team captain Keith and Bruce up against John Simpson and he had a strong rink behind him. Despite some good heads being built Keith could never quite get any results and they struggled through the game. A big loss of 6 on the 3^rd last end seemed to have killed not only the rink but overall score. However more to come later.

Rink 4 was a really strange game with both sides playing well and the score swinging wildly. After 10 ends Alan and Conc had pulled out 11-5, but they then despite playing consistently saw their score remain on 11 for the next 8 ends and were down by 9, a good recovery in last 3 ends saw them pull back to 3 down. Front end have to be commended for keeping putting bowls in end after end without seeing any shots scored, but another good fighting performance.

Rink 5 saw the Shark and Pres. Natch up against Scottish captain Ian Campbell and one of last years skips Andy McIntyre. This was another very good contest and for those who were able to watch it, you could see why big Ian is Scottish skipper. He constantly encouraged his players and gave precise instruction on what he was looking for. But all credit to Sharkey his concentration was superb and he was able to capitalise on wee Tam who played like he was 15 years younger – great leading. This game was looking a Stewartry win all the way, when Sharkey stretched out to 8 up but by end 18 it was down to 3 but a good finish saw Scott pull out a 7 shot win.

Rink 6 once again the Kirkcudbright rink played very well and worked hard for one another. They were well in front most of the game and that was despite dropping a 5 with 3 ends to go. Skip Geordie played an absolute belter when lying 6 down to draw the shot, on any other day Geordie – that would have been the shot of the day – but more later. George also kept encouraging his younger teammates and gave them a gee up when they needed it – well done lads.

I must comment on the end of the game, Stewartry lost a 5 and a 6 at the same time to fall 11 behind, this could have been the end right there with only 6 ends to go, but a 1 from Marty, 2 from Alan, 3 from Geordie, 4 from Sharky   2 from Keith and and suddenly it is pressure on. 2 ends to go Stewartry one up. John Simpson is looking at a head with only 2 Stewartry bowls in it and he has 5 around jack. Sharkey is lying one with a slim possible take out of a bowl to make 5. John Simpson plays weight drives out Stewartry bowls, Lanarkshire lie 5. Sharkey tries the take out misses 1 to Stewartry. Now 2 up with a bowl to come facing 5 down. Up come team captain to try and make second or third shot, perfect weight and line draws second shot – yours truly takes off up the green (sorry greenkeeper) place erupts great win. Fantastic performance boys hope you all had a good night, now let’s get ready for next week, I will announce team in next few hours, once I have spoken to all concerned.