Dumbarton rocked by high flying County West

Jun 24 2009 by John Miller, Stirling Observer Wednesday

AS expected last Saturday, Stirling County West bowlers sealed their place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cities & Counties championship.

A hard-earned six-shot victory over Dumbartonshire West left them as clear winners of the West qualifying section with six victories from their seven outings - two points ahead of nearest rivals Ayrshire who have also qualified.

County West now have a break before heading for the Shettleston green on Sunday, July 5 where they will play East Lothian in the Hamilton Trophy quarter finals.

Last Sunday's encounter at the Dumbarton green saw County West take a five-shot lead after five ends only to be reeled in by the halfway mark as Dumbartonshire hit back.

However, five ends later County West were back in the driving seat having established a 12-shot advantage and despite the opposition's attempts to close, County West held firm and ran out deserved winners with three rinks showing profit.

Richard Guy, Manny Cruz, Billy Guy and Hugh Letford carded a superb 29-18 victory over Kenny Paton, while Ian Gillies, Ian Forsyth, Rae Duncan and Derek Logie finished 21-16 ahead of John Hardie.

Also winning were David Stewart, James Brown, Pat Martin and Sandy Deans with a 19-17 scoreline against Norman Anderson.

Finishing all square (19-19) were Steve Whitton, Aaron Hazel, Craig Watson and Jason Williams against Alan McLeod.

Losing out were Terry Reilly, Joe Traynor, Dougie Kerr and Bryan Stillie who finished 20-24 adrift of Keith Tait, while Paul Monteith, Harvey Robertson, Kevan Frogley and Danny McCormick lost 11-8 to Stuart Banks. Totals: Stirling County West 118, Dumbartonshire West 112.

The man of the match award went to Richard Guy.

Last Saturday's match saw the youngest ever player appear for Stirling County with 16 year-old Aaron Hazel from the Polmaise Club lining up as lead in Jason Williams' rink.

There will be a limited number of places for supporters in the team bus heading for Shettleston on July 5. Anyone wishing to book a seat should contact John Stout on 833721.

EX-PRESIDENTS

STIRLING & District Ex-Presidents played their annual match against Cambusbarron BC last Sunday for the Bobby Stevenson Trophy.

Scores (Ex-Presidents skip first): R Whitfield 15, H Stark 12; P Doyle 10, B Liddell 12; W Connell 18, J Walmsley 12; C McPherson 13, S Kerr 8; D Armstrong 13, D Glen 13; R Davidson 6, J Ferguson 30. Totals: Ex-Presidents 75, Cambusbarron 87.

CAUSEWAYHEAD v ALLOA

RESULTS of last Saturday's match at Causewayhead green were (home skips first): I Wallace 14, T Anderson 11; J McLuskie 18, D Westland 15; T Henderson 17, J Hubbard 12; B Morrison 12, C Wright 17. Totals: Causewahhead 61, Alloa 55.

LIVILANDS v BORESTONE

THE annual match between these clubs was played on Wednesday of last week. Scores (Livilands skips first): W Fish 9, W Harrower 17; J McLellan 15, J McLean 12; J Paterson 21, R Johnston 10; P Miller 7, D Kerr 14. Totals: Livilands 52, Borestone 53.

DUNBLANE

WINNERS of the mixed rink competition (Wallace Trophy) were Ian Candlish, Margery Robertson, Robert Robertson and Charlotte Candlish. Runners up were Joan Russell, Sandra Hardie, David Strachan and Bill Hardie.

DISTRICT NINE LEAGUE

RESULTS of matches played on Friday, June 19 were as follows.

Bruce Section: Borestone 12, Cambusbarron 16; Cambusbarron 9, Borestone 16; Livilands 10, Dunblane 18; Dunblane 20, Livilands 10; Causewayhead 12, Bridge of Allan 20; Bridge of Allan 23, Causewayhead 16.

Wallace Section: Bannockburn 32, Airthrey Spa 12; Airthrey Spa 15, Bannockburn 18; Riverside 12, Doune Castle 20; Doune Castle 22, Riverside 14; Balfron 18, Spittalmyre 15; Spittalmyre 19, Balfron 10.