The Stewartry Finals were held yesterday at Auchencairn in glorious sunshine. County President Scott McCubbin welcomed everyone and hope that all the players enjoyed their game and the spectators saw some good bowling.
SENIOR FOURS
With some players in 2 finals the games were spread over the afternoon. one of the first games was the Senior Fours with the Spalding four of John McNally, John Peacock, Ian Murray & John McBeth playing Bruce Richardson, Stewart Tait, Ronnie Gibson & Billy McMinn from Dalbeattie. This was a good tight game with Spalding leading 4-3 after 5 ends but a 4 for Spalding in the 6th end gave them a lead that they held on to the end and the game finished Spalding13 Dalbeattie 11.
FOURS
The Fours was a good game to watch with all players in good form, Alan Green, William Green, William Brydson & Tommy Caven from Castle Douglas had the better of the first 5 ends and lead Kirkcudbright’s George Brown, Steven Johnstone, Tommy Docherty & Peter Brown 8-2. By the 10th end Kirkcudbright had pull back to 1 shot down at 10-11 and by the 15th end had got in front at 15-13. Castle Douglas got a single in the 16th and in the final end were lying game with only George Browns last bowl to be played and some bowl it was with a perfect draw for the shot and to win the game.
PAIRS
Derek Rogerson & Scott McCubbin from Auchencairn last years beaten pairs finalists were hoping to go one better this year but it didn’t work out that way as they found Keith Shuttleworth & Oliver Clingan from New Abbey in good form. The New Abbey Pair lead 8-2 after 5 ends. Derek & Scott kept plugging away and by the 12th end had managed to get the game back to 9 all. New Abbey then scored 5 shots in the next 3 ends and finished up winning 15-10.
TRIPLES
This was another good close game with Dalbeattie’s Bruce Richardson, Ronnie Gibson & James Harperleading 6-4 after 5 ends but by the 10th end John Crawford, William Brydson & Tommy Caven from Castle Douglas had edged in front 12-11 and a 5 in the 13th end saw them run out winners 18-15.
JUNIOR SINGLES
The play-down for the Junior Singles was played in the morning and Abbi McCubbin (Auchencairn) and Peter Brown (Kirkcudbright) won through to the final. Abbi played OK in the first few ends of the final but Peter came on to a good game and run out winner 21=6.
SINGLES
Scott McCubbin (Auchencairn) was hoping that the form that took him to the Semi-final of the Scottish National Singles at Northfield would return in the Stewarty Singles Final. After 6ends the game was level at 4 all then Hugh Robertson (New Abbey) scored 13 shots in 7 ends and went on to win 21-9.
MIXED PAIRS
This was another good game to watch with Elizabeth & John Peacock from Spalding taking on Christine Tennant & Keith Shuttleworth for New Abbey who have won the Mixed Pairs 6 times over the years. Christine & Keith had the better start and lead 5-3 after 5 ends. Elizabeth & John then got 6 shots in 3 ends and it level at 9 all after 10 ends.The next few ends were close with New Abbey leading by a shot playing the last end. Spalding tried hard to get a shot but Christine & Keith Held to win 15-13 and win their 7th title.
County President Scott McCubbin thanked Auchencairn for hosting the finals, all the players and all those who had came to watch some very good bowling. He also thanked Ian Bendal Funeral Directors & Golden Charter for their continued support of Bowling in the Stewartry. Along with his daughter Abbi they presented all the Trophy’s and runners-up prizes.
Kirkcudbright President Murray Wyllie was presented with Stewartry League Sheild and John McGarrie from Auchencairn was presented with the Stewartry Seniors Triples League Shield.
County Singles Champion Hugh Robertson gave a thank you on behalf of the players.
