County ladies reach national bowling semi-finals

Aug 23 2007 Lennox Herald

THE ladies of the county travelled to Croftfoot BC in Glasgow last Friday to play Glasgow Women’s Bowling Association in the last section game of the Inter-county Competition.

Victory for either team would almost certainly guarantee them a place in the semi-finals. After an exciting afternoon’s bowling, the game finished with each association winning on three rinks.

This still left the semi-final place in the balance, but after a telephone call to Kirn BC in Argyll, information was received that Argyll Women’s Bowling Association had beaten Lanarkshire 8-4, which meant the semi-final spot went to Dunbartonshire.

The semi-finals and finals will take place at Ardeer Recreation, Stevenson, Ayrshire, on Friday, September 7, with the semis starting at 10am and the final at 2pm.

Result: Betty Donnaghy lost 17-19; Dorothy Heron won 21-12; Margaret Strattan won 22-2; Irene Hannah won 22-11; Rene Bryceland lost 10-24; Annette Christie lost 11-18.

This gave both associations six points with Dumbartonshire on a shots total of 103, against Glasgow’s 86.

l THE champion of champions competition, which should have been held at the recent DWBA finals, will now be played at Dumbarton BC on Monday, September 10, at 2pm. The two lady champions are Wilma McIntyre of Garelochhead and Joyce Miller of Greenfaulds, Cumbernauld.

At the time of the finals, Joyce was on international duty, and a short time later Wilma suffered an injury to her leg which has delayed the final until now. It should be a good game and supporters will be made very welcome.

EASTFIELD hosted their annual Cuthbert Douse Open Mixed Fours last Sunday. The event attracted 18 teams.

After the sectional games were completed the following qualified for the semi-finals: C Quinn, J Hatings, M McFarlane, F Quinn (Argyle); C McGuinness, D McCarry, D McGuinness, R McGuinness (Ardrishaig); C Leitch, G Davidson, H Mullen, A Bruce (Vale of Leven); B Ritchie, J Tennant, M McKenzie & K Ritchie (Vale of Leven).

In the first semi, Frank Quinn defeated Ken Ritchie 5-4, while in the second semi final R McGuinness beat Alan Bruce 5-3.

In a keenly contested final, the Ardrishaig rink beat Frank Quinn’s Argyle rink 5-3.

Dumbarton BC hosted its annual Alger Electrics Gents open triples on Saturday, and again, 18 teams took part. The teams were split into three sections of six with the winners of each section and the best runner-up in the three sections going through to the semi finals.

At the end of the sectional games the following teams qualified: Kenny Gray, Scott McBride, Brian Lynch (Dumbuck); Michael Connolly snr, Michael Keenan, Norman Anderson (Dumbarton); Bill King, Michael Toole, John McCafferty (Dumbarton); Joe O’Hora, Kevin Anderson, Drew Cunningham (Dumbarton/

Lenzie).

In the first semi, Brian Lynch defeated Norman Anderson 5-2 and, in the second, Drew Cunningham defeated John McCafferty 7-2.

In the final, the spectators who remained were treated to a top-class game. After three ends Brian Lynch was ahead 4-0. At the fourth end however, Drew Cunningham’s team scored three shots to go into the final end only one down.

At the last end, Drew’s team scored one shot to take the game into an extra end. With only the skips left to play, the game was lying in Brian’s favour, but a forcing shot from Drew burnt the end and it had to be replayed.

When the skips went to play, Brian’s team held shot, but Drew trailed the jack with his second bowl to lie the shot. That left both skips with one bowl to play.

Brian played his last bowl and drew the shot but Drew stepped up to the mat and his forcing shot removed the shot bowl to win the game.

Final result: Brian Lynch 4 Drew Cunningham 5 (after an extra end).

In the clubhouse afterwards the winners and finalists received their prizes from tournament sponsor Gerry Devoy and club president Michael Connolly.

The winning skip, Drew Cunningham, replied on behalf of the players. He thanked Gerry for his generous support of the tournament and also thanked everyone who had made the day such a successful one. Michael then made a small presentation to Gerry on behalf of the club.

Meanwhile, Vale of Leven BC is holding an invitation triples tournament at 10am this Saturday. The event is sponsored by David Muir & Company and Brican Fabrications Ltd.