Bowls: Dumbarton gents team can still win promotion

Jan 22 2010 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON and District IBC’s gents team can still win promotion to the Premier Division of the inter-club leagues after Saturday’s win over Galleon at Kilmarnock.

There was little to choose between the teams in the early stages, but as the game progressed the Dumbarton team grew stronger, and eventually ran out convincing 98-64 winners.

Individual rink scores (Dumbarton skips first): Graeme Sloan 19, C Wilson 15; Keith Tait 20, D Crawford 17; Scott Hardie 32, G Semple 13; Brian Neeson 27, G Peacock 19.

With league leaders Paisley losing on Saturday, Dumbarton’s chances of promotion come down to the last game, at home to Irvine IBC on Saturday, January 30.

The senior gents travelled to Prestwick IBC last Saturday in the inter-club league.

They were hoping to make it a double against the league leaders, having won the previous meeting at Dumbarton.

There was little to choose between the two teams over the first 14 ends, and it was only in the closing ends that Prestwick pulled away to win by 74 shots to 59.

As a result of this win, Prestwick now qualify for the playoff in the competition.

Individual rink scores (Dumbarton skips first): Stewart Shields 14, M Sturgeon 22; Robert Kennedy 18, J Fortune 13; Jim Marsland 10, A Paxton 20; David Cole 17, C Eade 19.

The senior gents’ next game will be in the seniors Scottish Cup against Coatbridge IBC. The tie will take place on Wednesday, January 27, at Allander IBC.

The Dumbarton team travelled to Castlemilk IBC last Sunday to play in the last 16 of the national team championship top 10 against Fintry IBC. They were convincing winners, with 6 points and 84 shots to Fintry's 2 points and 60 shots.

The full scores were (Dumbarton players first):

Singles: John McCarry 21; Sandy Kelso 10

Pairs: Jean Irwin, Brian Neeson 22; A Sneddon (skip) 16

Triples: Jacqui Waltham, Kevin Anderson, Scott Hardie 17; D Buchan (skip) 21

Fours: Ann Jardine, Margaret Shields, John Gillies, Graeme Sloan 24; D Lechie (skip) 13

This win puts Dumbarton in the quarter finals of the competition, where they will play either Coatbridge or Cumbernauld IBC at Blantyre on Sunday, February 14.

Next Saturday both gents and ladies triples will be in action in the nationals.

Representing the club in the ladies event will be Cath Beaton, Jacqui Waltham and Ann Jardine. They will travel to Cumbernauld IBC where they will play Glasgow IBC.

The gents will be represented by Michael Connolly Jr, Kevin Anderson and Keith Tait, who will travel to Stirling IBC to face West of Scotland IBC.

The girls travelled to Wales last weekend to take part in the International Series, with local player Michelle Keenan playing for Scotland.

On the first day, Scotland started off their series with wins over Ireland and Wales, leaving the crucial game against England until the Sunday morning.

This was a tight game, with England winning the game and the International Series.

Although Scotland lost the series, Michelle and her rink won all of their three games.

Dumbarton and District IBC members are reminded that there are still tickets available for the Burns Supper on Saturday, January 30. They can be collected from reception.