County’s Hamilton Trophy hopes ended

Jul 8 2009 by John Miller, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County West’s successful run in the Hamilton Trophy ended last Sunday at Glasgow’s Shettleston green.

Despite turning in another impressive performance against East Lothian in their eagerly awaited quarter final match, County West sadly lost out by 17 shots.

In a match which saw County West hold advantage on numerous occasions, it was a late East Lothian surge which took them over the finishing line and into a semi-final shoot-out with Highland this Sunday.

Six shots ahead after the opening five ends, County West held firm and by the halfway mark were only one shot adrift. Five ends later a determined County West had fought back and were five shots to the good.

However by the 18th end the Garden County team had crept into an eight shot advantage and one from which County West failed to recover.

East Lothian’s conversion rate was to prove the big decider over the last three ends as they piled on a further 19 shots, while County West could add only a further ten.

County’s only winning rink comprised Ian Gillies, Ian Forsyth, Rae Duncan and Derek Logie who finished 27-16 ahead of Derek Oliver.

Charlie Gibson, Steve Whitton, Craig Watson and Jason Williams were pipped 17-18 by Alister Kennedy, while Terry Reilly, Joe Traynor, Dougie Kerr and Brian Stillie lost 19-21 to Jamie Higgins.

Elsewhere, Richard Guy, Manny Cruz, Billy Guy and Hugh Letford kept the reins on old campaigner Willie Wood for most of the match, but eventually lost 16-20.

David Stewart, James Brown, Pat Martin and Sandy Deans lost 14-26 to Alex Marshall, while Paul Monteith, Harvey Robertson, Peter Black and Danny McCormick finished 19-28 adrift of Struan Robertson. Totals; Stirling County West 112, East Lothian 129.

The man of the match award went to Derek Logie.

The line up for this Sunday’s semi-finals sees Ayr County take on West Lothian at Denny green, while East Lothian head for Ardrossan to play Highland.

DISTRICT NINE LEAGUE

FOLLOWING last week’s semi-finals, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane will contest Friday’s final of the District Nine League at Bannockburn green.

Bridge of Allan booked their final ticket with a six-shot victory over last year’s winners, Spittalmyre at Polmaise green.

Scores: T Reilly, J Robertson, I Anderson, W Guy 24, C Henderson, A McLean, S McFarlane, F Gray 9. B Cockburn, S Ingram, R Guy, J McKenzie 11, A Holroyd, H Lewis, H Robertson, D Stewart 20. Totals: Bridge of Allan two points plus 35, Spittalmyre two points plus 29.

Meanwhile at the Riverside green, Dunblane saw off Doune Castle by eight shots.

Scores: K Brown, R Wallace, M Barton, W Hardie 13, I Morrison, A Johnstone, J Nicol, D Mathieson 20. W Clarke, P McQue, V Colquhoun, D Dawson 24, W Nicol jun., W Nicol sen., M Cruz, D Crombie 9. Totals: Dunblane two points plus 37, Doune Castle two points plus 29.

Players are requested to report to the Bannockburn green on Friday at 6.30pm.

KENNARD TROPHY

CAMELON BC have won the Kennard Trophy with a total of eight points and 17 shots. Runners up were Grahamston BC with seven points and 22 shots.

STIRLING v AIRTHREY SPA

SCORES from the annual fixture played at Stirling on Thursday of last week were: T Hood 17, J Stout 12; B Weir 17, I Watt 10; P Neilson 8, I MacFarlane 14; B McLachlan 12, G Grant 15. Totals: Stirling 54, Airthrey Spa 51.

DUNBLANE BC

KEITH Brown and David Cuthell were the winners of last Sunday’s John Hill pairs competition at Dunblane. Runners up were Paul McQue and Adam McQue.

Losing out in the semi-finals were Craig Symon and Mick McInally along with David Strachan and Craig Peat.

BORESTONE BC

WINNERS of the recent ATJs gents pairs competition were homesters Brian McLaughlin and Dougie Kerr, while runners up were Ian Forsyth and Kevan Frogley (Borestone).

Losing semi-finalists were Ross McLeod (Polmaise) and Michael Murphy (Kilsyth) along with Garry Stevenson and Jimmy Stevenson (Borestone).

CAMBUSBARRON BC

BOWLERS should note that entries for the forthcoming Senior Pairs competition are now closed.

CAUSEWAYHEAD BC

SCORES from the recent match against Airthrey Spa were: D Henshaw 9, G Grant 9; H Sharp 3, I MacMillan 9; J Dawson 14, I MacFarlane 12; I Wallace 11, I Watt 11; Totals: Causewayhead 37, Airthrey Spa 58.

Against Cowie the scores were: I Kirkpatrick 13, J Gairns Jnr., 21; D Henshaw 9, W Glen 21; J Sharp 14, M Callaghan 14; B Morrison 14, J Gairns 10. Totals: Causewayhead 50, Cowie 66.

In the mixed triples winners were O Leary, W McCulloch and S Morrison. Runners up were M Turnbull, I Bingham, I Kirkpatrick.