All around Lanarkshire
DARTS
AIRDRIE AND DISTRICT LEAGUE
In the last week of fixtures before the enforced break of Airdrie and District Darts League, the big match was at The Workmen’s Club where The Eagle were the visitors.
The Coatbridge lads were hoping for a win, of which they were well capable of, to try and grab third spot in the table.
But after Tam Ferguson had hit a 19-darter, which was followed by a 20 and 21 from Gerry Brown, The Eagle had a mountain to climb.
Pat Hanlon did hit back with a 19-darter but Scott Gibb kept up his form with a 17-dart win.
Martin Moulds got some more points on the board for the visitors with a 17-dart win and a 180 but with the majority of the remaining games went to the home team.
Try as they might, The Eagle missed vital doubles and paid the price by only winning one of the pairs matches.
The Workmen’s C continue to set the pace and are now unlikely to get caught.
The Boar’s Head have a decent record against the champions, but they were far from their best.
The Post continued to keep up their challenge for minor honours in the division, as a fine performance at home to The Bank Social Club kept their hopes alive.
Chris Brownlie got the show on the road with a 20, which was followed by first class Kenny Campbell hitting a 21-dart win with a 90 escape.
Chris Flockhart banged in an 18-darter and 21-darter with a 180 while Stuart Ferguson hit 18-dart and 20-dart wins. The Bankies had little in resistance.
At the foot of the table, The West End leapfrogged The Cue Here after a fine display at their wooden spoon rivals.
In fact, the match was over early in the clash and The Westender’s had this game well rapped up before the purvey.
The Workmen’s A failed to capitalise on the fact that the visitors from The Swan failed to field a full squad and lost the clash.
Alex Gordon hit a 20-dart and a 21-dart game to win and Davie Raeside battered in a 20 to make the magnificent seven of The Swan visitors on the night.
League bosses hope to resume on Monday, April 20 but that is subject to change.
BOXING
KEIR HARDIE ABC
Coatbridge schoolboys Luke Davies and Conor Morgan were on winning form over the last six weeks as both boys totted up a total of three gold medals at recent national and district amateur boxing tournaments.
Luke, 13, a pupil of St Ambrose High, won both Scottish Intermediate and West of Scotland District Championships at the end of January and the beginning of February, respectively.
Conor Morgan, however, was successful at the Scottish Championships as he won gold and was crowned 54k Scottish champion.
Conor, 14 and a pupil at St Andrew’s High, will now have the opportunity to compete for Scotland at the GB TriNations championships later in the year.
Club coach Barry Clark from Keir Hardie ABC in Newarthill was over the moon with both boys.
He said: “They showed a fantastic level of performance and maturity over the duration of all competitions. “
BOWLING
LANARKSHIRE INDOOR
The National Mixed Pairs winners at the Lanarkshire Indoor Championships were Stephen Wright and his partner Joyce Brand, defeating the pairing of Jim Dornan and Margaret Dick.
The bowling club has now closed based on public health advice.
MARTIAL ARTS
RAM MARTIAL ARTS
Rutherglen’s RAM Martial Arts and Fitness Centre travelled to Cardiff to take part in the United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association’s biannual National Seminar and Black Belt Grading Exam.
Master John Reilly had been preparing the seven members for the gruelling test for the past several years, and they were put through their paces by three of the most senior Taekwon-Do Practitioners in the UK; three 9th Degree Grand Masters.
The team arrived in Cardiff and kicked off the weekend with a the Seminar consisting of more than 100 participants from across the UK.
The three conducting Grand Masters led the members through Patterns (forms), Sparring, Power Breaking, Special Technique and Self Defence against both unarmed and armed opponents.
The magnificent seven from the club donned their Do-Boks (training suits) for the final time of the weekend, mustered up what energy they had left and prepared to demonstrate everything they had learnt over the preceding years in front of the Examination Panel.
During the course of the grading exam, all of the members performed brilliantly, demonstrating their in-depth knowledge and ability in the art.
When it was all said and done, all seven were promoted to higher black belt degrees, capping off a truly exhausting but unforgettable weekend for the Rutherglen team.
Master Reilly congratulated each of his students on their achievements and gave credit to their dedication, heart and desire to be the very best that they can be.
It was a proud moment also for Master Reilly as a father, as his daughter Rebecca Reilly promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt.
Rebecca (14) has been training in Taekwon-Do since she was a four-yearold and she is clearly following in Master Reilly’s footsteps in many ways through the Art of Taekwon-Do.
RIVER CLYDE CLOSURE
Anglers have been told that the River Clyde is closed to fishing for the foreseeable future, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Directors at United Clyde Angling Protective Association made the decision, with Mid Clyde Angling Association and Lamington Angling Improvement Association quickly following suit.
A statement read: “We feel that these measures are required to protect the welfare and health of our anglers, land owners, river wardens and bailiffs.
“We hope that this will be a short term restriction and that anglers understand the need for the closure.”