The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Veteran Scot Wood reaches British final at the age of 80
Veteran Scot Willie Wood turned the clock back at the British Isles Indoor Bowls Championships in Paisley yesterday.
The 1982 Commonwealth Games gold medallist had won the Scottish triples title last year with clubmates Mark Johnston and Derek Oliver, earning them a shot at the British title.
Playing in the middle of the triple, Wood looked as sharp as ever, though it was noticeable that he took the chance to sit down at the end of the rink from time to time.
After all, he was required to play two games in one day – and with matches each last the best part of four hours the seemingly sedate game of bowls makes physical demands on a septuagenarian, however sprightly!
Taking on three members of the Coleman family, from County Antrim, the East Lothian trio seemed to have the game well in hand but almost dropped a five on the last end that would have forced them into an extra end.
Their 16-12 victory set them up for a semi-final clash with English champions Barry Prowle, Glenn Williams and Tony Webb, who could not compete with the consistency of the Scottish trio and capitulated 23-12.
It was also a special day for Scot Paul Foster, who was celebrating his 45th birthday – though, at first, his prospects looked bleak as he fell 6-0 in arrears against Ireland’s Graham Mckee in the semi-finals of the men’s singles.
But the defending champion got his act together, scoring 21 shots to Mckee’s two as he powered to a 21-8 victory that sets him up for a final clash with Glasgow-born Scott Baxter, who now lives in Jersey and is representing the Channel Islands.
Scotland will be represented in seven out of 11 British finals today – but there was no joy for Arbroath duo Leanne Furye and Caroline Ruxton, who lost their semi-final encounter with Ireland’s Chloe Watson and Sandra Bailie by 19 shots to 14.