The league decider between Castle Douglas and New Abbey was a close affair, despite one Castle Douglas rink having a comfortable win. Alan Davies steered his four to a 34 - 13 win over Willie Mair, but the other three games were much closer.  Graeme Maxwell could not shake off Ralph Richardson until late in the game when he managed to get his four to 6 up in the last and secured the 8 points needed to see Castle Douglas retain the title and make it seven years as league champions in a row.  Scott Davies had a tight tussle with Willie Kirk and came from behind a couple of times, the game eventually being drawn.  Allan Green trailed Keith Shuttleworth for most of the game but he scored well late on and narrowly secured the 2 points from his game for the home team.

Results

Castle Douglas 11 (84) - 1 (53) New Abbey
Dalbeattie 12 (40) - 0 (33) Gatehouse
Spalding 6 (?) - 6 (?) Creetown
Kirkcudbright 6 (58) - 6 (65)Auchencairn

Auchencairn 4 (62)Castle Douglas 8 (65)
Creetown 2 (48) Dalbeattie 10 (71)
Gatehouse 0 (22) Kirkcudbright 12 (40)
New Abbey 9 (46) Spalding 3 (37)

New Abbey now lead the league by four points with one match to go - they travel to Castle Douglas for the league decider next Tuesday. Castle Douglas have a superior shots difference so a victory by eight points to four will mean they retain the league title, making it seven in a row.  New Abbey were the last team other than Castle Douglas to win the league so they will be all out to regain the title.

Stewartry League Results Tuesday 3rd June

Auchencairn 10 - 2 Dalbeattie
Castle Douglas 10 - 2 Creetown
New Abbey 12 - 0 Gatehouse
Spalding 10.5 - 1.5 Kirkcudbright

New Abbey now lead the league with 53 points ahead of Castle Douglas on 50.  Auchencairn are third on 43 points and are the only other team who can challenge New Abbey.  New Abbey are at home to Spalding next Tuesday, while Castle Douglas go to Auchencairn.  In the final round of matches New Abbey visit Castle Douglas while Auchencairn go to Kirkcudbright.  It promises to be a tight finish!

New Abbey go top after Castle Douglas lose at Dalbeattie.

Dalbeattie 8/61    -    Castle Douglas 4/59

Kirkcudbright 2/46    -    New Abbey 10/80

Creetown 2/59    -    Auchencairn 10/87

Gatehouse 12/35    -    Spalding 0/21

Auchencairn 2 (43) - New Abbey 10 (49) Game abandoned after 14 ends.
Castle Douglas 12 (63) - Spalding 0 (24)
Dalbeattie 7 (67) - Kirkcudbright 5 (63)
Creetown 12(44) v Gatehouse 0 (25)

Dalbeattie 7.5 (42) v  Spalding 4.5 (37)
Gatehouse 0 (25) v  Auchencairn 12 (34)
Kirkcudbright 0 (52) v  Castle Douglas 12 (80)
New Abbey 9 (72) v  Creetown 3 (63)

Auchencairn 9 (50) - Spalding 3 (43)

Creetown 4 (52) - Kirkcudbright 8 (76)

Gatehouse 0 (18) - Castle Douglas 12 (50)

New Abbey 12 (72) - Dalbeattie 0 (48)

Please note that the fixtures for the last week of the league are reversed from the original sent out to clubs.

Castle Douglas win at Dalbeattie gives them the title by a point from Auchencairn.

Photo - Tom Rennie, John Crawford, Rab Derbie

Tommy Caven, Derek Harper, Ramsey Lamont