Weekend of competition sees bowlers pick up silverware

THE OUTDOOR bowls pairs competition final last Friday saw Joan Nicolson and skip Jean Jarmson lose 20-14 to Gordon Stevenson and skip Alan Smith.

Scoring eight shots without reply over the first four ends, Gordon and Alan looked as if they were on easy street. However, three ends later the scores were level at eight all.

Joan and Jean then took a one shot advantage and were looking very good. But although their play was as good as the men’s, the women lacked that little bit of luck which is needed to win any game.

Gordon and Alan were able to restrict their opponents to scoring single shots while they counted more heavily.

With only one end left to play, Gordon and Alan were leading by 17 shots to 14. As a result of having to try to force play at this point, Joan and Jean dropped a further three shots to give victory to Gordon and Alan.

In the handicap final on Saturday Alan Smith (-5) recorded a 21-10 win over Jean Jarmson (-5).

Alan made a strong start due, at least in part, to the fact that Jean just could not get her game together properly.

After eight ends Alan held an 8-1 lead and was on course for a good win. On this occasion Jean was unable to stop his charge and he eventually ran out the winner.

Babs Mundie defeated Pat Hunter 21-6 in the final of the ladies’ championship.

As the score suggests, it was a rather one sided affair. Babs played well but Pat was unable to get into her stride. Of the 14 ends played, Pat could only score on five. At no point did Babs appear to be threatened by Pat’s play.

In the men’s championship Ewen MacRitchie defeated John Jarmson 21-15.

Ewen started very strongly and had built up a lead of eight shots over the first five ends. Both players were playing well, but Ewen had that edge.

With 11 ends played the score was 17-3 in Ewen’s favour. John began to rally at this stage and was looking dangerous at 17-12. But that was when he dropped another three shots to trail 20-12 making his task virtually impossible. He did score another three singles but Ewen picked up the shot he required for victory on the 21st end.

The weather on Sunday afternoon was again bright and sunny when the finals continued with another two games.

In the greens final Ernie Munro went down 21-8 to Alan Smith.

After sharing the first two ends Alan took charge. Ernie kept trying but all too often his bowls rolled past the head to leave Alan lying two or three shots. This was definitely not Ernie’s day and Alan ran out a worthy winner.

Jean Jarmson won the veterans’ trophy by defeating George Mundie 17-6.

This game was played over 15 ends and, like the greens final, did not live up to expectations. Jean had scored eight shots before George won an end. She was in good form and George could do little about it. One point of some interest is that Jean is the first female to win the trophy.

After a very rainy and windy day, Monday evening was a pleasant change with some wind and sunshine.

In the final of the men’s league Alan Smith beat George Mundie by two sets to nil.

This final had a different format from the other finals in that it is the best of three sets of 10 ends. The first set was fairly tight with Alan always having a slight advantage and winning 7-4.

In the second set George had no more luck than in the first and was again playing catch up. But Alan is not an easy player to catch and he won this set 9-3 giving him the victory.

The bowlers were again able to enjoy good weather on Tuesday evening when they turned out for the weekly hat night competition which was won this week by Anne Barron, Ian Scott and skip Alan Smith.

Playing the usual three sets of six ends, Alan’s triple set off with a will scoring 11 shots in the first set, well ahead of Davie Henry, Pat Hunter and skip Ernie Munro who had scored six.

During the second set Mike Bailey, Jean Jarmson and skip George Mundie came into the frame on 13 shots, two behind Ernie’s team, but still out in front on 24 were Alan and Co.

The third set saw little change. Bob Brandie, Findlay Jack and skip Gordon Stevenson finished their evening on 19 shots, equal with Ernie’s triple, but with a final total of 30 Alan’s team won the competition.

The “Champion of Champions” competition will be held this weekend when Jean Jarmson, Babs Mundie, Ewen MacRitchie and Alan Smith will play a round robin format against each other.

Each game will be over 10 ends and the most successful player on the day will earn the title. Play will commence at 2.30pm tomorrow.