BOWLS by John Miller

Aug 3 2012 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

LOCAL bowlers returned empty-handed from last weekend’s Scottish championship finals at Ayr.

Some came mighty close to getting to grips with national silverware, none more so than Denny’s Marion Boyle, Maureen McGuire and Karen Dawson, who made it all the way to the final in the ladies triples only to lose 14-12 to the Riccarton club.

The Denny trio booked their place in Sunday’s final at the Northfield greens with victories over Dufftown (16-14), Ochiltree (19-9), Tulliallan (19-14) and Victoria Park (20-10) in the semi-final.

Also coming close were Dunblane’s ladies senior four, who lost out in the semi-finals (12-11) to Greenfaulds. Sheena Finnie, Jean Nairn/Doreen Rose (substitute), Pat Philpot and Charlotte Candlish enjoyed victories over Barnhill (15-4), Shanks (17-6) and Strathclyde (14-8).

There were early exits elsewhere, with Aaron Hazel (Polmaise) surviving his first round singles match against Ronnie Branley from Cockenzie and Port Seaton (21-13) before losing to Stuart Williamson (Stenhousemuir) 21-12.

Junior singles man Alastair McFarlane (Callander) lost 121-11 to Kevin Brunton from the Craigie club in his opening match.

Pairs Kevin Paterson and Sandy Deans (Polmaise) defeated Leven 16-10 in their first round match but then lost 17-15 to Kintore.

Bridge of Allan’s triples Willie Steele, Jamie Grant and Ian Wright fell at the first hurdle, losing 16-13 to Ayr’s Coylton club.

In the fours contest Dunblane’s Wallace Clarke, Bill Hardie, Neil Nairn and David Cuthell also lost their first match, going down 26-12 to the Charleston Club from Paisley.

Senior fours representatives Bill McGill, Giles Alexander, Jim McKenzie and Alan Greasley (Bridge of Allan) lost 18-16 to Galston BC in their opening match.

Sandra Hardie (Dunblane) lost 21-14 to Leigh McPartland from Kilmarnock’s Northwest club in her opening ladies singles match.

Spittalmyre ladies pairing Aileen Robertson and May Holden defeated Auchinleck 19-17 but then lost 24-9 to Ellon.

Tulliallan triples Rachel Fairbairn, Emma Simpson and Maureen Wallace won 18-14 against Cardonald and then defeated Kirkcudbright 20-16 before losing to Denny.

In the fours Spittalmyre’s Dorothy Miller, Kathleen Sharp, Margaret Henderson and Margaret McEnearney won 15-10 over the Turriff club but then lost 20-11 to London Road Foundry.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

RECENTLY crowned champion of champions Fraser Gray (Spittalmyre) will face Eastern District champion of champions Darren Couper (Denny) for the Stirlingshire title at Cambusbarron green on Friday at 7pm.

TOP FIFTEEN

POLMAISE and Spittalmyre clubs meet in the final of the City of Stirling Top Fifteen competition at Bannockburn green on Sunday, August 5, at 2pm. Sponsors are One Stop Motor Engineers and Mobile Homes along with Co-operative Funeralcare.

RIVERSIDE

SCORES from the match against Adrian BC were: J Purdie 19, G Cooper 13; T Findlay 7, G Sutherland 16; R Cairns 11, A McKie 19; J Millar 13, D Walls 13. Totals: Riverside 50, Adrian 61.