Top form West see off Wee County challenge

Jun 3 2009 by John Miller, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County West bowlers returned to their winning ways last Saturday in the Scottish Counties championship with a thumping 31-shot victory over local rivals Clackmannan & Kinross.

Following the previous Saturday's unexpected blip against Renfrewshire, it was important that County West bounce back to stay in touch with the qualifying contenders with just three matches remaining.

And on a sun-drenched Alloa Co-op green they did just that - and in considerable style - finishing with five winning rinks. Apart from one brief moment around the tenth end, County West led from start to finish.

Charlie Gibson, Steve Whitton, Craig Watson and Jason Williams won 27-7 over Bruce Ramage with Terry Reilly, Joe Traynor, Dougie Kerr and Bryan Stillie seeing off Stuart Dalrymple's four by 22-16.

Richard Guy, Manny Cruz, Billy Guy and Hugh Letford finished 21-19 winners against Willie Milne, while David Stewart, Peter Black, Pat Martin and Sandy Deans won 22-13 over Gary Craig.

Paul Monteith, Harvey Robertson, Kevan Frogley and Danny McCormick enjoyed a 17-14 success over Ian Inglis.

Losing out were Ian Forsyth, James Brown, Rae Duncan and Derek Logie who went down 11-21 to Alan Morrison. Totals: Stirling County West 120, Clackmannan & Kinross 89. The man of the match award went to Sandy Deans.

Saturday's result leaves County West in second top position in their West section with six points plus 89 shots. Behind them is Lanarkshire West with six plus 43. The teams clash at the Overtown & Waterloo green on Saturday. Ayrshire remain undefeated at the top of the section.

For Saturday's match Derek Logie's rink comprises Ian Gillies, Ian Forsyth and Rae Duncan. All other rinks remain unchanged. Reserves are Tommy Hood and James Brown.

The bus will leave from Stirling Bowling Club at noon picking up at Whins of Milton.

SWBA CHAMPIONSIHPS

THE District Eight finals of the SWBA Championships were played last Sunday at Airthrey Spa green.

Singles: Tulliallan (Maureen Wallace) 21, Dunblane (Sue Bolton) 19.

Four-bowl pairs: Causewayhead (Carol Ann Lydon, May Falconer) 29, Riverside (Christina Lloyd, Sheila Hunter) 15.

Two-bowl pairs: Alloa (Val Stuart, Helen McIntosh) 17, Causewayhead (Mandy Turnbull, Isobel Bingham) 12.

Triples: Alva South (Nancy Danaher, Chris Christie, Maisie Scott) 14, Causewayhead (Margaret Bridges, Margeret Ferrier, Sylvia Morrison) 12.

Fours: Dunblane (Margaret Penman, Jan Brown, Sandra Hardie, Sandra McNeill) 18, Doune Castle (Carol Nicol, Annabelle Cameron, Lexa Armstrong, Nonie Palmer) 6.

Senior Fours: Alloa (Evelyn Hubbuck, Janette Latimer, Ann MacGregor, Jean McEwan) 22, Bridge of Allan (Sandra Petrie, Joyce Waters, Margaret Fleming. Irene Mackin) 9.

The winners go forward to the national final at Ayr, Northfield from July 29 to August 2.

DISTRICT NINE LEAGUE

RESULTS of last Friday's matches were as follows: Bruce Section - Borestone 15, Livilands 18; Livilands 8, Borestone 18; Polmaise 25, Bridge of Allan 17; Bridge of Allan 10, Polmaise 16; Causewayhead 14, Cambusbarron 10; Cambusbarron 16, Causewayhead 14.

Wallace Section - Riverside 19, Balfron 11; Balfron 17, Riverside 11; Airthrey Spa 10, Spittalmyre 16; Spittalmyre 16, Airthrey Spa 7; Doune Castle 20, Bannockburn 16; Bannockburn 22, Doune Castle 12.

JUNIOR COMPETITION

SIXTY junior bowlers from throughout Central Scotland gathered on a sun-bathed Causewayhead green last Sunday to compete in the club's annual junior rink competition.

Once again, Robert Ferguson, proprietor of the neighbouring William Wallace, sponsored the event. Robert kindly donated t-shirts, trophies and refreshments throughout the day.

Robert presented prizes to the gold medal winners - Dunblane's Callum McNaughton, Rab Robertson, Craig Symon and Chris MacDonald.

The silver medal went to Polmaise four Brian Kirkwood, Gary Malcolmson, Chris Hazell and Aaron Hazell.

Losing semi-finalists were Cambusbarron's Samantha Brown, Gary Brown, Callum Hutchison and Greg Blennie, along with Abronhill's Kieron Butler, Mags Butler, Andrew Reid and Grant Reid.

The junior section at Causewayhead is open to youths aged 10-16 years and new members are very welcome. Further information can be obtained from the club on 473350 or George McCluskey on 464992.

TOP FIFTEEN

THE following clubs are through to the quarter finals of the City of Stirling Top Fifteen contest.

They are Polmaise, Kippen, Borestone, Spittalmyre and Dunblane.

The competition is sponsored by One Stop Motor Engineers and by Co-operative Funeralcare.

STIRLING v CAMBUSBARRON

THE annual match for custody of the Centenary Trophy, gifted in 1954 by former SBA Councillor Bob Gall, was played last Saturday at the Stirling green.

Cambusbarron retained the trophy by four shots.

Scores (Stirling skips first): S Hogg 26, G Pirie 14; C McPherson 20, J Liddell 21; P Neilson 16, S Hamill 27; S Hope 22, D Ferguson 14; B Weir 12, D Ross 24; D McKean 15, M Graham 15. Totals; Stirling 111, Cambusbarron 115.

CAUSEWAYHEAD v LIVILANDS

THE annual match between thee clubs was played on Wednesday of last week. Scores (Causewayhead skips first): J Bingham 15, R Hearsum 19; G McLuskey 17, J Miller 14; D Henshaw 23, J Paterson 13; B Morrison 17, P Miller 9. Totals: Causewayhead 72, Livilands 55.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN vDUNBLANE

RESULTS of last Saturday's match at Bridge of Allan were: D Buchan 29, R McNeil 7; A Lafferty 30, M McInally 17; J Graham 25, G Woodford 12; J McKenzie 24, S Brown 8. Totals: Bridge of Allan 108, Dunblane 44.

CAMBUSBARRON v DOUNE CASTLE

LAST Sunday's match at Cambusbarron resulted in a two-shot victory for the visitors.

Scores: J Ferguson 20, H Murdoch 20; W Brown 26, D Kinloch 10; C Green 20, W Nicol 24; D Ross 12, D Armstrong 23; D Liddell 20, I Morrison 19; D Ferguson 20, J Nicol 24. Totals: Cambusbarron 118, Doune Castle 120.