County West fail to reign in Renfrewshire

May 27 2009 by John Miller, Stirling Observer Wednesday

FOLLOWING encouraging victories in their two opening matches, Stirling County West bowlers suffered their first Hamilton Trophy setback at Cambusbarron on Saturday.

An impressive first half showing by Stirling County saw them lead by 12 shots after five ends and by six at the halfway stage

Unfortunately their efforts could not be sustained and a super fightback by Renfrewshire West gave them their first victory by 16 shots.

The result knocked County West off the top of their qualifying section of the Scottish Counties championships – with an undefeated Ayrshire taking over at the completion of the third series of matches.

A trip to the Alloa Co-op green now awaits the County West squad next Saturday when they will take on local rivals Clackmannan and Kinross.

With the sides having four points apiece, it’s a hugely important match as both teams bid to remain amongst the front-runners.

Last Saturday’s match at Cambusbarron saw County West finish with three winning rinks.

Charlie Gibson, Steve Whitton, Craig Watson and Jason Williams romped to a 30-12 victory over Stephen Murphy; Ian Forsyth, Ian Gillies, Rae Duncan and Derek Logie were 17-14 victors over Willie Killens; while Richard Guy, Manny Cruz, Billy Guy and Hugh Letford pipped Alan McLean 18-17.

Elsewhere, James Brown, Harvey Robertson, Kevan Frogley and Danny McCormick lost 19-26 to Billy Wilson; David Stewart, Peter Black, Pat Martin and Sandy Deans lost 17-27 to Sandy Wotherspoon, while Terry Reilly, Joe Traynor, Dougie Kerr and Bryan Stillie went down 6-27 to a highly impressive Johnathan Ross. Totals: Stirling County West 107, Renfrewshire West 123.

The man of the match award went to Craig Watson.

For Saturday’s match against Clackmannan & Kinross, Danny McCormick’s rink will comprise Paul Monteith, Harvey Robertson and Kevan Frogley, while Derek Logie’s rink comprises Ian Forsyth, James Brown and Rae Duncan. All other rinks remain intact. Reserves are Tommy Hood and Ian Gillies.

Players to report to Alloa Co-op green at 1.15pm.

STIRLINGSHIRE UNDER 25s

A thumping 57-shot victory over Renfrewshire at Paisley Victoria green last Sunday put Stirlingshire Under 25s into the semi-final of their Scottish Counties championship.

Scores: D Couper 25, M Todd 17; G Malcolmson 24, M Anderson 17; I Donaldson 24, C McLeod 18; C Ross 30, A Rae 11; D McEwan 17, G Armour 17; R McLeod 30, M Murray 13. Totals: Stirlingshire 150, Renfrewshire 93.

The semi-final is scheduled for Kirkliston, on Sunday June 7. Stirlingshire’s opponents are still to be decided.

CENTRAL FINALS

THE finals of the Stirlingshire Central Association championships will be held on Cambusbarron green, on Monday June 1, at 6.45pm.

Singles – S Eddie (Dunblane) v M Cruz (Doune Castle); junior singles - M Airnes (Denny) v B McMillan (Tillicoultry); Pairs - Polmaise v Alva; Triples - Cambusbarron v Dunblane; Fours - Cambusbarron v Bridge of Allan; senior fours - Bannockburn v Dunblane.

DISTRICT NINE LEAGUE

RESULTS of matches played on Friday, May 22 were as follows.

Bruce Section: Livilands 10, Polmaise 18; Polmaise 20, Livilands 11; Dunblane 20, Cambusbarron 6; Cambusbarron 12, Dunblane 17; Borestone 16, Bridge of Allan 14; Bridge of Allan 24, Borestone 12.

Wallace Section: Bannockburn 19, Riverside 9; Riverside 12, Bannockburn 12; Balfron 23, Airthrey Spa 10; Airthrey Spa 8, Balfron 21; Spittalmyre 16, Doune Castle 15; Doune Castle 18, Spittalmyre 9.

Results of postponed match from the previous week were: Polmaise 14, Borestone 17; Dunblane 16, Causewayhead 12.

SCOTTISH TOP TEN

STIRLING County champions Adrian lost 6-2 to Carrick in Sunday’s first round match of the Scottish Inter-County Top Ten Championships.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN v STIRLING

THE annual match between these clubs was played last Saturday at Bridge of Allan green. Scores: G Forrest 15, C McPherson 24; I Wright 12, P Neilson 28; J Robertson 27, R Letford 12; A Greasley 18, B McLachlan 16. Totals: Bridge of Allan 72, Stirling 80.

BORESTONE vCAUSEWAYHEAD

RESULTS from last Saturday’s match at Borestone were: W Harrower 14, B Morrison 14; J McLean 9, G McCluskey 24; R Fleming 13, D Henshaw 15; P Tortolano 13, J Somerville 20. Totals: Borestone 49, Causewayhead 73.

FORTH PLUMBING TWO-BOWL TRIPLES

WINNERS of last Sunday’s event at the Borestone green, after an extra end in the final, were Jim Walmsley (Cambusbarron), Tom Keith (Borestone) & Davie McNicol (Sauchie).

Runners up were Peter Godfrey (Grangemouth Railway), Paul O'Hagan (Coatbridge West End) and John Barrie (Bannockburn).

Losing semi-finalists were Borestone’s John McLean, Jessie Beedie and John Crombie along with Brian Kelly, Ian Forsyth and Dougie Kerr.

The club thank Forth Plumbing and Heating Services for their kind sponsorship

DELEGATES MATCH

CENTRAL and West Perthshire delegates played their annual match at Cambusbarron last Sunday.

Scores (Central skips first); R Horsburgh 11, J Bowes 22; A Lafferty 26, C Hardie 21; D Anderson 13, B Harvie 22; J Stout 14, D Armstrong 29; R Fleming 14, B Hardie 23; T Findlay 23, A Clark 17. Totals: Central 101, West Perthshire 134.