Rutherlgen gents make the last eight
Stalwart weighs up chances of winning national title
Four members of Rutherglen Bowling Club have made it to the last eight of the Bowls Scotland finals.
Alistair Riach, Ian Stewart, William Wales and John McGowan knocked Wishaw team Holdsworth out of the senior fours event yesterday, Tuesday, to progress to the quarter-finals.
The quartet were in action in the next round tie whilst The Reformer was going to print.
But we were able to catch a word with 70-year-old competitor Alistair, who had just stepped off the turf in the last -16 match.
Alistair, who has been a member at Rutherglen BC since 1972 and won the Glasgow pairs and junior district singles, said: “It’s a good feeling. It was a close game right up until the very last.
“We were eight shots up by two ends and edged away after that to win 16-11.
“It was an enjoyable game, we just hope we can get a good result in the next one.
“It’s hard to say if we can win it. There’s still a bit to go and you’re up against the other district winners as well. None of the games are going to be easy.
“It’s been really good down there. It’s an excellent atmosphere, the place was absolutely jumping.”
Meanwhile, fellow member Betty Duckett, 74, was also holding her own in her last-32 match on Monday but just missed out.
After winning the West of Scotland pairs and her club championship 10 times, Betty was hoping to add to her long list of bowling accolades.
The Burnside resident, who has plenty of experience under her belt at big finals, admitted she should have got past her tough Ardrossan opponent.
She said: “I’ve played at Northfield for 12 years and I thought I could do something this year but it wasn’t to be.
“I was pleased to get there but should have done better.”
The club will now look to have representatives in the latter stages of the ladies game as May Hay, Helen Stevenson and Mabel Robertson take to the greens against Carron and Carronshore.
The trio, who defeated Kingswood in the district final to qualify for the triples event in Ayrshire, are confident in their own abilities, according to May.
“We can only go and do our best,” she said. “It depends on how we do on the day and the weather on the day.
“It would be out of this world to go all the way. Hopefully we’ll get through and play in the semi-final or finals on Saturday.
“We’re up against strong teams from all over Scotland but we’ll do what we can.
“Our club has only ever had two ladies win the pairs down at Northfield twice but we’ve not had any singles, triples or fours winners. It would mean a lot for the girls and the club.”
●Make sure you pick up your copy of the Reformer next week for all the reaction to the finals at Northfield.