Stewartry v Dunbartonshire East 05/06/10 at New Abbey.
Well Saturday turned out to be a hot day in more ways than one. New Abbey green was playing at least 3 yards faster than I have ever seen it and all credit to all players involved in making this a very exciting game. I thought that games this season could not possibly get any tenser - how wrong can you be?
Rink 1 – As I said last week it was only going to be a matter of time before Flash was back to his usual ways and he responded immediately. Although never a lot in the game he was always in front and in fact in early part of game was our only scorer. Young Ronan has certainly had a baptism of fire this year and I hope he is learning from every experience he is getting. Ian Carter is as reliable as a swiss watch and on Saturday he played some great head setting bowls. Alan Cly, has set himself high standards and now faces the task of living up to them, I’m sure next week he will fulfil all expectations. Flash himself has not played badly this season but has not got results – he got it big style today so hopefully that will bring the bounce back for next weeks big game.
Rink 2 – I am beginning to run out of words to express as a manager how much joy this rink brings, without seeming to start the Geordie appreciation society. But this week exceeded everything else, 16 – 1 down after 9 ends and 19 – 10 down after 15, they never lost another shot and ran out 23 – 19 winners. Again this was a great rink effort with all 4 players contributing at different parts of game, young Robert is developing into a fine lead and Stevie J has his confidence back. Big Brian was below his own high standards in early part of game nut from halfway was immense. George himself does as George does, keeps things simple and plays the percentage game – well done lads.
Rink 3 – This was a game that just seemed to slip away from this rink that in part was due to Big Geo and his lads handling the jack length better than the Stewartry boys but there perhaps is a lesson that more than one rink should have learned, control of jack and first bowl was crucial on Saturday and keeping jack was perhaps a better idea, perhaps more use could have made of Conc, but still a good performance. Hoopy will have better games and Matteo will hit top gear after some more green time this week. Marty and his rink led most of game and there was only one in it at 18 ends. They managed to get 2 singles to set up for a good finish and I will come back to that later.
Rink 4 – Captain Keith on his own green was one of my bankers for this week and he did not disappoint the rink managed to build a good platform from ends 5 to 18 and were able to withstand a slight comeback to pull away in last couple of ends. Papa Joestruggled in first few ends but a change of hand and he then settled in to a decent performance. Tom Rogers is without doubt a really dependable second and played the bowls to back up his lead. Brucie has not shown last seasons form yet and when he does this rink will really take some stopping. Keith as always played some great conversion shots and drew when required. Good win.
Rink 5 – If this is Reech’s last game this season he will be very disappointed, on a very tricky rink they struggled all day for line and length but never gave up and in fact a really good 2 on the last helped team position at the end. Michael had aquieter game than last 2 weeks, Neil Shuttleworth in first game at HT level for many years took some time to get going but came on strong towards end. Scott and Stevie toiled to get into game but all credit they never allowed situation to get them down although a couple of times it looked like it. As I said they got a good 2 on last to pull scores tighter going into last few ends.
Rink 6 – Sharkey got off to a quiet start but from 10 – 15 ends he and his rink pulled a good few shots away. Again credit to Tam Mac as he also played some great conversion bowls to put his rink right into contention. Gav again was solid at lead and was more than backed up by a good display from Eric at second. Natch started brightly but faded in second half of the game. Sharkey was good in middle part of the game when he played positively and got some results, whether the tightness of game got to him but he tightened towards end and was unable to get a turnover he needed to create a 5 on second last which would have been huge in overall terms. But overall another sound performance and with more to come, this rink are due for a big win.
Overall this game went to the wire and beyond, Dunbartonshire were up for most of game and only once did Stewartry lead by a small margin. Last 3 ends involved rinks 1, 3 and 4. Marty was 4 down with a bowl to come Keith was lying 1 with a bowl to come and Flash was 3 up with 4 bowls to go. Marty tried to take out shots or move jack, unfortunately he was high and bowl sailed through head. 4 down 2 rinks still on, Flash plays first bowl makes 4, opposing skip plays backhand clips jack high bowl but turns it away and runs on, still 4 Stewartry. Keith tries to draw another shot since opposing skip has altered head to stop Keith playing weight to move jack for a 4 or 5. Tight from his hand falls just short, 1 Stewartry 3 down 2 bowls to come. Flash does not really want to alter head or finish jack level, draws on forehand finishes yard away but just inside line. Sommerville has played on backhand previous shot changes hand to try and get a close shot looks heavy slide past front of head and catches Flashes first bowl and stops, slight cheers from Dunbartonshire Flash calls for measure, third measures Stewartry lie 3 tied game. Once again boys you don’t half put me through it but well done I am proud to be part of such a fighting squad you all know what we have to do, I will put team up later in week, once I have considered all my options.
Well this report will be a bit briefer than previous since I was called into action on Saturday due to a couple of players being stuck in the serious road accident near Hamilton. But apart from a few times when big scoreboard was way out this was less stressful than previous weeks.
Rink 1 this week was Stevie Richardson and after their near miss the previous week, Reech got a great result which was down to a real rink performance right through. Mickey T at lead has had his best Hamilton Trophy for years and set up play for Scott and Reech to build their heads. Again the team spirit from this 4 was excellent good win.
Rink 2 Keith just came in as players were going out for trial end and the manager was delighted to see him arrive. Keith was also going to have the additional burden of being saddled with yours truly and assistant John McGarry. Not for me to comment on how we played but the scoreline don’t lie. Special mention to second Tom Rogers who came into his own especially when lead got caught up in trying to keep momentum going in other rinks. Keith settled in after a fairly slow start and led rink to a fine victory.
Rink 3 raised a few eyebrows in selection terms but the experience of Big Conc at lead and last years strong back end of Marty and Matteo paid off big style. Hoopy knows he can play better and he will but he did contribute at a crucial time in game. Young back end again proved their worth and taking advice from the experienced Conc meant they ground out a good result.
Rink 4 was the only losing rink and I’m sure they will all have been gutted by this, however they will come back and I hope there were some lessons learned. Having said that Colin Simpson and Charters at the back end played really well according to my assistants who paid close attention to this game. With some slight tinkering and advice given I’m certain Flash will be smiling soon. All credit to him though he never stopped encouraging every other rink and whooping big bowls, great team spirit was echoed when he himself was trying to get back into game and others were voicing their support towards him.
Rink 5 Sharkey after last weeks defeat had a new look front end and I’m sure the Hammer and Eric will say that made all the difference but again a good solid rink performance. With Natch giving Sharkey the confidence to play shots and setting up opportunities for him. From limited observation there can be no doubt that the front end did play well so keep it going lads.
Rink 6 If you can use the term evergreen when describing a Brown then this surely fits, this very strong Kirkcudbright rink produced just exactly what was expected a clear and decisive win. The team spirit which is being developed really shows its essence in this rink, Brian McClune who undoubtedly could skip in any of our rinks is happy to sub to George and help in the development of Stevie J and young Robert. Great performance lads, keep it up.
Finally I have mentioned spirit more than once and I have to say what we may lack in ability is more than being made up for in spirit. John McGarry wearing borrowed shoes and waterproof trousers and playing with Concs other 2 bowls was an example to all, cheers big man. Also big mention to Stewart McClymont who has declared himself unavailable to allow Alan to play next week, great gesture Stewart and it is really appreciated. As I have said numerous times Saturday is a huge game lets get focussed lads and get another win. Team will be put up on Wednesday once I have considered all options.
The draw for this season’s game, to be held on KIRKCOWAN and NEWTON STEWART greens on Wednesday 2nd June is as follows.
KIRKCOWAN GREEN
NEWTON STEWART15 v 15 SPALDING
KIRKCOLM21 v 15 AUCHENCAIRN
WEST END24 v 4 GATEHOUSE (2)
WIGTOWN 17 v 14 CASTLE DOUGLAS (1)
GARLIESTON 8 v 22 KIRKCUDBRIGHT (2)
ISLE of WHITHORN 10 v 20 NEW ABBEY (1)
NEWTON STEWART GREEN
SANDHEAD 15 v 7 GATEHOUSE (1)
CASTLE KENNEDY 6 v 23 CASTLE DOUGLAS (2)
GLENLUCE 6 v 13 CREETOWN
PORTWILLIAM 13 v 11 KIRKCUDBRIGHT (1)
STRANRAER 8 v 20 NEW ABBEY (2)
KIRKCOWAN 9 v 19 DALBEATTIE
Wigtownshire152 Stewartry 183
Stewartry won the Galloway Cup by 31 shots and the Cup was presented to the Castle Douglas rink of Russel Cook, Derek Harper, Stewart Gilmour & Graeme Maxwell who were the higest up rink on the winning side.
