LAWN BOWLS
The Scotland Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls team will once again have a hefty Ayrshire contingent in its ranks with no less than five of the region’s top players flying the flag in Birmingham.
Paul Foster MBE, Claire Johnston, Hannah Smith, Garry Hood and George Miller have all been named in the squad as the national side once again sets its sights on golden glory.
Foster, who represents Troon Bowling Club and will play in the Men’s squad, is no stranger to the team.
He’s won four gold medals and one silver in his previous appearances at the
Games (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) and is Team Scotland’s 3rd all-time most successful Commonwealth Games athlete.
Claire Johnston, of Auchinleck BC, is a familiar face of the Women’s squad.
She’s represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games on previous occasions (2010, 2014, 2018) and already has one bronze medal to her name.
Claire knows what it takes to win, having previously clinched a World Bowls Championships gold medal too.
Clubmate Hannah Smith will also make the trip south to Birmingham.
Hannah, who actually represented Wales in the 2010 Games but switched allegiances, has three World Bowls Championship medals to her name (one silver, two bronze) so this year’s showpiece will be her Games ‘debut’ for Scotland’s women.
Ayr Craigie BC’s Garry Hood will make an emotional return to the Scotland Commonwealth Games team – 28 years after his first appearance. Garry, 61, has been included in the eight-strong Scotland Para Lawn Bowls.
He finished seventh in the men’s fours at Victoria 1994, playing alongside the legendary Willie Wood.
Now, after an inspiring battle back from serious illness, he will once again pull on the colours of Team Scotland.
Garry was struck down by rare debilitating illness Guillain-Barré Syndrome, coupled with Lyme Disease, in September 2015 and spent 11 months in hospital.
However, he battled back after joining the Bowls Scotland Para Bowls programme and showed amazing resilience to return to the game he loves.
Also on Scotland duty in Birmingham will be Saltcoats BC’s George Miller, who is director for one of Scotland’s Para players.
He’s Scotland oldest ever Commonwealth Games representative at the age of 75 years and 8 months, taking the all-time record from Willie Wood MBE.
George was previously a Director at World events in South Africa and will continue that duty for Melanie Inness in B2/B3 Mixed Pairs.
Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a strong squad of bowlers to Team Scotland 2022. Lawn bowls is one of Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports and the athletes selected are well placed to add to that success.
“It’s a sport in which England has also historically done very well, so we can count on a fantastic atmosphere and tough competition in Birmingham.
“Congratulations to all athletes selected and we wish them well in their preparations over the coming months.”
HOWIE BC
Howie Bowling Club is holding a Open Day this coming Saturday (21st May) from 11am to 5pm to let the public get a taste of what a bowling club is really like behind the wall.
A club spokesperson said: “Forget the hype about it being an game for old people.
“Old people do play bowls, but Howie’s club champion is 16 years of age!
“It is truly a game for everybody. “One member plays from a wheelchair, visually impaired members play every Friday afternoon and the juniors meet up every Wednesday.
“Come along and get an initial introduction to bowls, take part in fun competitions, visit the bric-a-brac stall, get lucky at the tombola or just enjoy a tea or coffee in the clubhouse.”
The club is located at Bridge Street, off Allanvale Road, Prestwick, next to the railway foot bridge.
All you need are flat shoes, as the club will provide everything else.
Visit the club’s YouTube channel, and Facebook page or go to their website www.prestwickhowiebowlingclub.co.uk for more details.
AYR & PRESTWICK SENIORS
Results for Friday, May 13: Crooksmoss 5 Prestwick 0, Peter Boyle 3 Northfield 2, Forehill 4 Newton Park 1, Ayr 5 K/ Belmont 0, Craigie 4 Wattfield 1, Seafield 5 Prestwick Howie 0.
NEWTON PARK BC
Dawn Anderson, 25, who plays out of Newton Park BC, has been chosen to represent Scotland at the European Championship.
Dawn is one of five females to be honoured for the Europeans which take place at Scottish Bowls Centre, Northfield from July 8 to July 21.
Family, friends and Newton Park BC wish Dawn and the other four female players all the very best as they attempt to bring home the trophy.
WOSFL MIKE WILSON
Tommy Sloan won’t use a raft of absentees as an excuse as Auchinleck try to add another piece of silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet.
Injury crocks Graham Wilson and Craig McCracken are big doubts for the South Challenge Cup final against Bonnyrigg Rose at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
Michael Wardrope and Lewis Crawford are cup tied and miss out while Neill McPherson was due to get stitches removed on Monday.
Sloan missed Talbot’s final league game – a 5-0 rout over Cumbernauld – to run the rule over Bonnyrigg who won promotion to SPFL League Two after beating Cowdenbeath 4-0 on aggregate.
The Beechwood gaffer said: “It was great to have a look at Bonnyrigg rather than go in blind which I hate doing.
“We face a difficult match against a strong team who are a big, physical side.
“This is a new cup for us with a lot of teams from different leagues. It is great to be involved and there have been some cracking ties.
“Now we are in the final we want to win it but we are not without problems although winning our last game so well is a good way to go into it.
“Graham hasn’t played for two or three weeks with a calf problem while Craig lasted only half a game when he tried to come back from injury.
“We will give them every chance as they are big players. We’ve played a lot of games recently and they have caught up with us but there will be no excuses if we don’t perform on Sunday.”
No 2 Allan McLuckie was in charge as Talbot pulled down the curtain on the Premier League with a sunshine goal feast.
A spectacular strike from Bryan Boylan sent them on their way. Mark Shankland scored two, including a penalty, and set up Keir Samson’s double with a slide rule pass and then a dummy.
McLuckie said: “We said it wasn’t an end of season game with two big cup finals to come and the boys were at it right from the start. We were comfortable winners and scored some good goals.”
Despite amassing 86 points and losing only four league games, Talbot finished four points behind champions Darvel who launch their play-off bid for the Lowland League with a trip to St Cuthbert Wanderers on Wednesday, May 25.
After Sunday, Talbot will have a 13 day break before the Scottish Junior Cup final against Yoker at Rugby Park, on Saturday, June 4 when they chase a remarkable 14th triumph.
DARVEL had to come from behind to end their Premier programme on a high. Trailing at the break against Irvine
Meadow to a Callum Graham goal, they hit back through Ryan Thomson, Andy Stirling and sub Lewis Morrison.
Michael Kennedy’s men entertain Cambuslang in the Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland Cup on Saturday.
CUMNOCK have lost keeper Kieran Hughes and defender Alan Murdoch to St Cadoc’s. Also leaving are Ruaridh McIntyre, Alistair Miller, Darren McGill and Smart Osadolor.
Skipper Kyle McAusland heads a group of players who have extended their contracts. Also penning new deals are Owen Bell, Regan Ross, Nathan Baird, Greg Ferry, Finlay Frye, Jamie Wilson and Adam Strain.
Townhead Park will host the final of the Kilmarnock Pie West Cup on Saturday, June 11.
LARGS secured their Premier place for next season with a 3-0 win over Clydebank thanks to a double from Will Sewell – taking his season’s tally to 41 goals – and a late header from Cory Hughes.
That followed a midweek 2-0 win over Glenafton thanks to goals from Sewell and Stuart Faulds.
WHITLETTS striker Scott Dempster and midfielder Ross George are the latest to sign new deals.
Ryan Stevenson is within touching distance of leading GLENAFTON to the ‘Great Escape’ in his debut season as manager.
A win at home to Blantyre Vics tonight (Wednesday) will ensure Glens stay in the Premier Division – provided Darvel win the play-offs for the Lowland League.
If Darvel don’t step up, then Glens will need four points from their final two games as the bottom seven teams would then face the drop.
Goals from Sam McKee, Hugh Kerr and Ollie Rowe gave Glens a come from behind 3-2 win over Beith on Saturday.
They kept up the safety fight on Monday evening to beat Irvine Meadow 2-1. Jamie McKernon’s free-kick was cancelled out by Callum Graham but Rowe forced home a priceless second-half winner after a corner was nodded back across goal.
No 2 Mark Roberts said: “Another four points guarantees it for us so a win and a draw from our last two games - but we’re looking to get six points and could finish in the top 10 and go above the likes of Troon and Beith.”
Glens finish the season away to Cumbernauld which is currently scheduled for May 28.
RUGBY
AYR LADIES RFC
Ayr Ladies put in a battling display at the home of rugby as they lost out to Biggar in the National Plate Final on Saturday.
But they can take some heart from the way they battled back from a 19-0 deficit to give their opponents something to think about at BT Murrayfield.
Biggar raced into the early lead before Ayr’s Shelley Main powered over to open her side’s account and reduce the leeway on the half hour.
But six minutes later Biggar scored again when space opened up for Emelia Knights to dart over.
Five minutes after the restart Biggar hand one hand on the trophy with another try before stretching their lead to 36-5 with yet another score.
Ayr’s Alice Wilson gave the travelling fans something to cheer about when she finished a good move.
Then Hannah Young crashed over out wide before the conversion sailed between the posts to reduce the deficit to 36-17.
Ayr notched the final score of the game, a try, with a minute to go but the damage had already been done.
Coach Stuart Fenwick said: “We have to give credit to Biggar, there were a very good side and we knew that going into the game.
“And when you look at what’s on their bench, they have youth and experience and their ability is by no means reflective of their current league position.
“From our point of view the pleasing thing is that we never gave up.
“We scored four tries in total and the girls worked hard to try to reduce the deficit.
“Another team could have folded in those circumstances but we didn’t. We kept at it and gave a good account of ourselves.”
CRICKET PRESTWICK
On form Prestwick are chasing three league wins on the spin when they welcome Langside to the Henry Thow Oval on Saturday.
A feisty 96 off 115 balls by Matt Van Dyk was the highlight of a crushing win by 103 runs over Kelburne at Whitehaugh.
The South African’s superb knock included three sixes and six fours before he was bowled by Ross Maclean when only four runs short of his century.
A third wicket stand of 119 between Van Dyk and Sachin Chaudhary was the cornerstone, Chaudhary bashing 57 off 71 balls.
Other notable contributions included 32 from Inderjit Singh, 27 off 12 balls from Donovan Du Randt and 22 from Tom Fleet as Prestwick posted 272-5 off 50 overs.
In reply, Kelburne were dismissed for 169 in 43.4 overs with Chaudhary taking 3-29, Inderjit Singh (2-4), Gurupreet Singh (2-34) and Fletcher Rao (2-52).
On Sunday, Prestwick suffered a late collapse against RH Corstorphine in the Scottish Cup, losing their last five wickets for only seven runs.
In a rain affected tie, the visitors reached 197-5 off 46 overs, the key being a fourth wicket partnership of 105 between Liam Naylor (61) and Elliot Rousen (56).
Chasing a target of 216, Prestwick were going well when skipper Fraser Macdonald (52) and Van Dyk (15) put on 64 for the second wicket.
Chaudhary (24) and Du Randt, with 29 off 25 balls, offered hope but when they departed, the challenge quickly died and the innings closed at 153 in 39.5 overs.
The St Ninians XI fell by three wickets at home to Whitehaugh after being bowled out for 109 in 40.1 overs. Ross Kennedy top scored with 23 while Callan Turner was unbeaten on 16.
Whitehaugh clinched victory at 1127 in 43.3 overs (Turner 3-24, Jonathan Hulme 2-16).
Fixtures: Prestwick host Kilmarnock tonight (Wednesday) in the McCulloch
Cup and on Saturday entertain Langside. St Ninians XI travel to Albert Park.
AYR
It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Ayr, losing their league game away to Uddingston on Saturday but recovering to beat Stirling County on Sunday in the Scottish Cup.
At Uddingston the home team batted first after winning the toss and posted a total of 197-9.
Western Warrior Mo Awais was the mainstay of the innings, top scoring with 76 – Scott McElnea was the pick of the Ayr bowlers taking 4-36.
The Ayr reply got off to a disappointing start losing Lloyd Jefferson with only three on the board.
The prized wicket of Michael English (38) saw the Uddingston spinners tighten their grip on the game.
Ayr then quickly lost their composure to be bowled out for 148, losing by 49 runs.
Scott McElnea was the hero on Sunday as Ayr put the previous day’s defeat behind them, fighting back to defeat Stirling County at New Williamfield.
Batting first they were soon in trouble as their hosts reduced them to 45-5 before Flack and McElnea led the recovery.
Matthew Baines then joined McElnea and together they put on a partnership of 74 – the highest of the match – as they helped Ayr to 189-8.
Western Warrior Brandon McMullen was the only man to get into double figures for Stirling as they were bowled out for 120.
The Cambusdoon XI recorded their first league victory of the season, beating Bothwell by 54 runs.
Cambusdoon batted first and posted a total of 214-8.
In response, Bothwell were soon in trouble as Cammy Forsyth struck early claiming three wickets.
Jonny Baines then chipped in with three wickets as Bothwell were bowled out for 160.
The Development XI were in action on Sunday against an experienced West of Scotland XI.
The home team batted first posting 242-8. Bobby Walker-Lynch took 3-52 and a wicket for Freya Wilcox on debut.
In reply most of the Cambusdoon batters made a start, but only Richie Borland with 40no was able to go on and make a score as they were bowled out for 146.
VOLLEYBALL
Senior and Junior teams from South Ayrshire’s Caley West Volleyball Club competed in the S.V.A. finals weekend at the Pleasance Sports Centre in Edinburgh.
The Women’s 1st team played Edinburgh Uni 1st team in the Women’s
Scottish Cup final and lost 3-0.
Two players from Ayr were involved in the Edinburgh Uni team.
Both players started playing volleyball at Belmont Academy and came through the ranks of South Ayrshire Volleyball Clubs.
Rachel Morrison captained the Uni team and also won the award for Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final.
The Uni team didn’t have a coach for the last few games of the season, so Rachel’s brother, Stuart, who plays for South Ayrshire Men’s team, stepped in to help and was delighted to help the students to their win.
It was the first time that a Uni team has ever won the Women’s Cup Final.
Caley West teams were also involved in the U16 and U18 girls finals and they won the U18 girl’s final.
• South Ayrshire duo Katie Barbour and Rachel Morrison have been named as the Scotland reserve team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
•For anyone who wants to play volleyball for fun, recreational volleyball sessions take place on a Wednesday night between 7.15-9.15pm at Prestwick Academy.
HORSE RACING IAIN FERGUSON
Ayr Racecourse has announced a new sponsor for its popular Family Day on Sunday, July 3.
Likit Products, one of the world’s leading equine toy and treat brands, are the title sponsors of the Likit Family Raceday in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support.
Based in Kirkmichael, Likit is a family business established in 2002 that manufactures an extensive range of toys and treats for horses that are not only fun but also help relieve boredom and stress.
Likit MD, Andrew Robertson, said: “The Family Day at Ayr Races is always such a fun day out and as a local Ayrshire business, we are thrilled to be able to support such a good cause as this event.
“Ayrshire Cancer Support is a charity close to our hearts and we hope that this event raises loads of money to help them continue their great work.”
Sandra McCall, Chief Executive, at Ayrshire Cancer Support, added: “Ayrshire Cancer Support is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to promote our new Children and Young People Services at such a high profile event as the Likit Family Raceday being held by our Corporate Partner, Ayr Racecourse.
“We are very grateful to our main sponsor Likit Products for their generous support of this exciting event and we look forward to a superb day of family fun and of course horseracing.”
Ayrshire Cancer Support has operated in Ayrshire since 1982 helping support adults when cancer affects their lives. With a centre long established in Kilmarnock ACS is now developing its second purpose built facility in Ayr which will include the region’s only dedicated complete support facility for children and young people.
The Likit Family Raceday in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support features lots of entertainment and activities including a Face Painting Studio, Arts and Crafts Station, Treasure Hunt, Wizarding Academy Training and fairground rides.
Children can also meet their favourite princesses and superheroes including Snow White, Power Ranger and Batman. All children’s entertainment is free and under 18s go free with a paying adult.
For more information and to book tickets go to https://www.ayr-racecourse. co.uk/races-tickets/racing-fixtures/thelikit-family-raceday-2022/