County West get off to a flyer at Riverside

May 13 2009 by John Miller, Stirling Observer Wednesday

SATURDAY’S Hamilton Trophy opener on Riverside green was probably the only local game to be completed as driving rain coupled with an un-seasonal chill sent bowlers scurrying to their clubhouse comforts.

However, for the Stirling County West team, the dismal day was to prove highly successful.

Not only did they weather 21 keenly-contested ends on a remarkable Riverside surface that withstood incessant rain, but they emerged 37-shot winners over far-travelled Argyll & Bute to get their Scottish Counties Championship series off to the best possible start.

County West led from start to finish racing into a healthy 22-shot lead after just five ends and then accelerating to a 37-shot advantage by the halfway mark.

As the rain eased somewhat during the third quarter Argyll & Bute came back into the game and closed the gap back to 22 shots – but it was to be a brief assault.

By the 18-end mark a determined County West had forged further ahead by 35 shots and they crossed the finishing line as worthy 37-shot winners with three rinks showing profit.

Leading the charge magnificently were David Stewart, Tommy Hood, Peter Black and Sandy Deans with a 31-6 demolition of Craig Bence’s four.

Ian Forsyth, Ian Gillies, Pat Martin and Derek Logie also carded a super 21-9 victory over Gavin McLaughlan, while Richard Guy, Manny Cruz, Billy Guy and Hugh Letford saw off David Beattie’s four 20-11.

Elsewhere, Paul Monteith, Harvey Robertson, Kevan Frogley and Danny McCormick were pipped 19-18 by Stevie Scott, while Terry Reilly, Joe Traynor, Dougie Kerr and Bryan Stillie lost 15-18 to George Allan.

Charlie Gibson, Rae Duncan, Craig Watson and Jason Williams finished 13-18 adrift of Andy Scott. Totals: Stirling County West 118, Argyll & Bute 81.

The Man of the Match award went to David Stewart.

On Saturday Stirling County West head for the Kelvindale green to take on Glasgow who lost 67-97 to Dumbartonshire West in Monday evening’s re-arranged match at Yarrow.

There are two enforced team changes. Steve Whitton replaces Rae Duncan who replaces the unavailable Pat Martin. Reserves are James Brown and Arron Hazel.

The bus for Glasgow will leave Stirling BC at 12 noon prompt (players to report by 11.45am) and will pick up at Whins of Milton.

UNDER 25s

STIRLINGSHIRE Under 25's have got off to a super start in their championship quest. Following their opening 25-shot victory over Glasgow the previous week, they defeated holders West Lothian last Sunday at Larbert.

Scores were: K. Ritchie 11, K. Black 19; G. Malcolmson 18, A. Gilliland 20; M. Orr 22, C. Greer 12; C. Ross 30, B. Mackie 16; G. Hutchison 16, C. Logan 25; D. Couper 31, S. McCulloch 6. Totals: Stirlingshire 128, West Lothian 98.

CAUSEWAYHEAD vCAMBUSBARRON

SCORES from last Wednesday’s match at Causewayhead green were: B Morrison 6, D Liddell 18; J Bingham 5, D Ross 17; I Carnachan 21, D Crowe 3; G McCluskey 5, W Brown 12. Totals: Causewayhead 37, Cambusbarron 50.

BORESTONE v POLMAISE

IN a recent match played at Borestone the homesters defeated Polmaise by 20 shots. Scores: P Tortolano 13, J Walker 12; B McLaughlin 18, B McLeod 14; J McLean 18, J Brown 11; W Harrower 19, D McEwan 11. Totals: Borestone 68, Polmaise 48.

POLMAISE

THE junior section will hold their popular annual adult/junior pairs competition for the Grieg Ryan Memorial Cup on Sunday, June 28. It will be sponsored by Update. Invitations are currently being distributed and entries should be returned to James Brown by June 12.

In a recent preliminary round match in the City of Stirling Top Fifteen competition Polmaise defeated Callander by 12 points to nil.