Creetown and Castle Douglas got their delayed match in the Senior Triples League played on Monday.  Castle Douglas were too strong for the home team and secured a 6 - 0 win, which sees them into the play off for the league title against Auchencairn.  The match is scheduled for next Tuesday night (6.30pm) at Dalbeattie.

National Top Five

Castle Douglas played host to Thornton from Fife on Sunday in the prelim of the National Top Five competition.  The competition involves five games of 21-up singles play, with the first team to reach three wins taking the tie.

John Crawford led John Gibson 5 - 3 but the Thornton player fought back and took counts of 3,4,1 and 3 to lead 14 - 5.  John steadied the ship and replied emphatically, scoring in 8 of the last 9 ends of the game to put the first point on the board for Castle Douglas 21 shots to 15.

Graeme Maxwell looked to have things under control against Kevin Fleming when he led 16 - 7, however Kevin struck back to score 5 ends on the trot and lead 17 - 16.  He then moved within one shot of victory at 20 - 17 before Graeme scored a three to square matters at 20 - 20.  In the last end Kevin lay three before Graeme drew shot with his last bowl.  Kevin’s attempted trail on the jack just missed the target and Graeme took the second point for the home team.

With two points on the board Castle Douglas just needed one win out of the three remaining games to progress to the last eight of the competition.  William Brydson had a close tie with Kenny Balfour, with the scores tied at 8, 10, 11, 13 and 15 shots each.  William scored a vital three to lead 18 - 15 before losing two singles to make it 18 - 17.  William then scored another three to wrap up the victory 21 - 17.

Scott Davies had a close tussle with Jim Forbes and the players completed their game with Scott eventually losing out 21 - 17, and the final game was unfinished with Alan Davies leading Alan Morris 19 - 17 when the match was settled.

Castle Douglas now play host to Bonnyrigg in the last eight.  Having lost to Bonnyrigg in the first round of the National Top Ten in May this year the Castle Douglas boys will be seeking revenge.  The date for the match is still to be set and the details will be in next week’s News.

Photo shows the Castle Douglas and Thornton players, with Presidents Lorna Dobie and Alan Fleming in front, and the Fife Bowling Association President George Fairgrieve on the extreme right.

The Stewartry Bowling Association celebrated its 75th year with an invitation American competition at Dalbeattie on Sunday.  The weather was perfect and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable day, with hospitality provided by the Association.  The winners of the competition were Wigtownshire Bowling Association, represented by Alan Hainey, Alex Hanlin, Ian Howatson and Scott Hainey.  In the final they beat Laurie Little, Bert Little, Billy Glendinning and John Hunter of Auchencairn.

Stewartry President Ronnie Gibson thanked everyone who had contributed to making the day a success, including the sponsors Ian Bendall Funeral Director, John McGaw Electrical and Bryan Swales Auto Repairs.

The photo shows (l to r) Ian, Alex, Scott and Alan of Wigtownshire, President Ronnie Gibson, and Auchencairn’s Laurie, Bert, Billy and John.

Stewartry Bowling Association

75^th Anniversary American Competition

Dalbeattie Sunday 6^th July 2014

Section 1 – 9.30am                                           Section 2 – 9.30am

Auchencairn A                                                    Creetown A

Castle Douglas A                                               Dalbeattie A

Gatehouse A                                                       Kirkcudbright A

Spalding A                                                          New Abbey A

Stewartry Committee A                                      Ex Presidents A

Dumfriesshire                                                     Sponsors/Guests

Section 3 –10.15am                                           Section 4 –10.15am

Auchencairn B                                                    Castle Douglas B

Creetown B                                                          Dalbeattie B

Gatehouse B                                                      Kirkcudbright B

New Abbey B                                                      Spalding  B

Stewartry Committee B                                       Ex Presidents B

Wigtownshire                                                      Bowls Scotland

Stewartry Committee A – R Gibson, G Maxwell, S Davies, W Neville

Stewartry Committee B – S McCubbin, R McClune, J Peacock, J Harper

Ex Presidents A – G Haining, J McNally, A Harvie, J McFarlane

Ex Presidents B – D Rogerson, A McFegan, J Fleming, R Hope

Sponsors/Guests – A Green, A MacLeod, H Robertson, B Swales

Rinks from Stewartry clubs are requested to bring one raffle prize per rink for the day, thank you.

SYBA Singles draw for Sunday 15 June to be held at Dumfries Bowling Club, 10am start.

 Group A

 Jack Harkness (Annan),  Keigan McMinn (Kirkcudbright), Amy Anderson (Eaglesfield), James Richardson, (Castle Douglas), Alan McDonald (Kirkcudbright)

 Group B

Ewan McMinn (Kirkcudbright), Jamie Harkness (Annan), Ciaran Daubney (Kirkconnel), Calum Rudd (Castle Douglas), Robert Carruthers (Annan), Calum Murray (Creetown)

 Group C

 Steven Graham (Lockerbie), Adam Swansburgh (Dalbeattie), Scott Creighton (Dumrfries), Joe McMillan (Kirkcudbright), Ben Herries (Creetown),

 Group D

 Jack Cobban (Dalbeattie), Jamie Kerr (Sanquhar), Morven Lockerbie (Lochmaben), Ellie McCubbin (Auchencairn), Daniel Poole (Annan)

Anyone unable to play please phone Brian Robertson 07990014005 or Sandy Duff 01387263512

Sunday 22nd June at Auchencairn

Draw will be made at 10am, all entrants must be present at this time or they will be excluded from the draw. 21 shots, 2 full trials permitted if required.

Please send results promptly to Graeme.

STEWARTRY BOWLING ASSOCIATION AGM

The AGM was held recently and the main points from the meeting are detailed here:

OFFICE BEARERS

President for 2014 is Ronnie Gibson of Dalbeattie.  Vice President is Scott McCubbin of Auchencairn.

Graeme Maxwell will continue as Secretary/Treasurer.

 HAMILTON TROPHY

Dates and venues for AHT 2014

10^th May Dumfriesshire at Marchmount

17^th May Ayrshire at Dalbeattie

24^th May Wigtownshire at Stranraer

31^st May Lanarkshire at Kirkcudbright

7^th June Renfrewshire at New Abbey

14^th May Glasgow at Rutherglen

21^st June Dunbartonshire at Castle Douglas

 The selection process will be different in 2014; it was agreed to have a committee of three selectors plus President Gibson.  Selectors are being sought by the Committee.

 SUBSCRIPTION

Subscriptions were set at £1.25 per member.

 COMPETITIONS

The KBA Cup will follow the same format as in 2012 – 2 bowl pairs, 4 bowl pairs, triples and fours.

A revised league format was agreed to allow Gatehouse to participate again in 2014.  Gatehouse will be allowed to enter a two rink, eight man team.  The standard format is four rinks; three rink teams will be permitted as in previous years, and Gatehouse will be permitted a two rink team.

It was agreed that county competition ties may be played after the date originally set if both sides are agreeable and provided the tie is completed before the next tie is due.

  TROPHIES

A suggestion was made and agreed to cease engraving the county trophies to reduce costs now and into the future. The details of past winners will be placed on the website.

75^th ANNIVERSARY

2014 is the Stewartry’s 75^th anniversary and a celebration game is being planned, together with an end of season buffet dance.  More information will follow in due course.

To mark the 75^th anniversary a new Stewartry shirt is being investigated.  Players will be given the opportunity to purchase their own shirt for a contribution of £10 – this will mean they can keep their shirt indefinitely rather than it belonging to the county.  Non players will be able to buy a shirt at cost price.

AGM Agenda

Wed. 13^th November 2013 7.30 pm at Castle Douglas

1.    President’s Welcome

2.    Apologies

3.    Minutes of 2012 AGM

4.    Matters Arising

5.    President’s Report

6.    Secretary / Treasurer’s Report

7.    Election of Office Bearers and Management Committee

8.    Subscriptions

9.    Bowls Scotland Report – Councillor Ian McLelland

10.           Hamilton Trophy

- report by Team Manager

- arrangements for 2014

- confirm greens to be used for 2014

11.           Galloway Cup

12.           County Competitions

- venues and schedule

- engraving of trophies

13.           Stewartry League - format for 2014

14.           2014 - Stewartry’s 75^th Anniversary

15.           AOCB

Dunbartonshire East 106 v 100 Stewartry

Rinks scores

S.Richardson 18  v 21 G.Tait, S. McCubbin 16 v 20 G. Russell

S. Davies 13 v 14 R .Hay, A. Davies 16 v 20 G. McCartney

B. McClune 15 v 19 D. Miller, G. Maxwell 22 v 12 I. Gilmour

Season started on Saturday up at Lenzie on what was a very decent green considering the weather we have had recently. Game started with Dunbartonshire taking a good early lead and the fresh Stewartry rinks taking time to get to grips with the tricky rinks. Dunbartonshire went ahead by 15 shots by end 5 and held the lead through to 10 ends but reduced to 4 shots. Stewartry then had the best of the game over next 7 ends and at one point went 14 shots up. This was always going to be a tight game and Dunbartonshire fought back to level in last 2 ends across the green, that momentum was enough to see them push on and win by 6 shots. Game could have gone either way but credit and best wishes to Dunbartonshire on what was a really sporting game.