Early finish will suit us all
Next year’s Bowls Scotland finals at Northfield will end a day earlier – by public demand.
It will mean a Saturday finish instead of the normal Sunday closing day.
The decision comes after more than 1000 players enjoyed a feast of bowling that drew 10,000 spectators to the complex.
But many players made it known they would prefer a Saturday finish. So next year’s event will start on Monday, July 24 and end on Saturday 29th.
A Bowls Scotland spokesman revealed: “A lot of players said that ending on Saturday would ease travel arrangements so they can be back at work on the Monday.
“We will therefore bring the start forward from Tuesday to Monday. It means the SYIBA finals will now take place on the Sunday.”
Ayrshire’s only winner was veteran George Adrain who rolled back the years to beat Ian Crawford ( Melrose) 21- 6 in the gents senior singles.
Troon Portland’s Colin Doak, Paul Foster and Colin Howie were beaten 12- 9 by Hyndland in the final of the gents triples.
And there was silver for Hannah Smith and Claire Johnston of Auchinleck who lost 21- 7 to Uppal Station in the ladies pairs final.
Colin Smith ( Ayr Seafield) battled to the semi- finals of the gents senior singles. But the local favourite lost 21- 13 to Melrose.
The Gemmell clan from Auchinleck – George, Tommy, David and Stuart – lost 15- 13 to eventual winners Milngavie in the semis of the senior fours.
Donna Fleming ( Busby) won the ladies singles while the junior singles champion was Megan Kivlin ( EL Co- Op).
Derek Oliver ( Cockenzie and Port Seton), who beat Coylton’s Craig Cobbledick in the first round, went on to lift the gents singles while Gordon White ( Aberlady) took the junior title.
Newton Park play Maidens in the Ayrshire Top Ten district final at Hawkhill on Sunday.
Winners will go forward to the inter district final at Irvine Park the following week.
The Ayr Indoor Bowling Club gents and ladies AGMs will take place on Saturday, August 16 and 18 respectively at 7pm.
Entries for all ladies and gents leagues are currently being taken.
The club is open every Monday and Thursday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
The Ayrshire Women’s Bowling Association semi finals will be played at Galston on Monday with junior singles, secretary’s singles and triples at 10am. The singles, pairs and fours follow at 2pm.
Singles: Alison Lamont ( Coylton) v Janet Steel ( Galston); Michelle Cooper ( Blacklands) v Alana Blackwoood ( Howard Park).
Junior singles: Karin McKenzie ( Cumnock) v Dawn Anderson ( Kincaidston); Natalie Kyle ( Ardrossan) v Stacey Wylie ( Darvel).
Secretary’s singles: Elaine McKenzie ( Cumnock) v Mary Findlay ( Kay Park); Margaret McCabe ( Townholm) v Marella O’Neil ( Dalry).
Pairs: Darvel ( Carol Hunter, Jan McDill) v Maybole ( Helen Sloan, Anne Walker); Howard Park v Largs Halkshill.
Triples: Galston v Ardrossan; Annbank ( Ginnie McDermott, Chrstine O’Hara, Shona Gilchrist) v Dundonald ( Helen Partner, Margaret Hogg, Janet Keenan).
Fours: Stephanie Wallace, Irene Douglas, Helen Vallance and Sheila Spiers ( Cumnock) v Crosshouse; Ayr Forehill ( Eleanor Dunlop, Rita Macey- Lillie, Margo Little, Samella McMath) v Blacklands. Winners play at Saltcoats on Tuesday at 1.30pm.