AROUND THE GREENS
Kirkhill
The club fun day had a good turnout on Sunday, April 30 when 16 members played 10 ends in the sunshine, and then took part in a two part quiz.
They started with bowls then a picture quiz followed by a Scottish general knowledge contest so that the total score in the bowls and quiz elements determined the outcome.
Roy Linder and Brian Gallagher were overall winners by a narrow margin from Linda Linder and Martin Burns who took the runner up prize.
The next fun day is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at 2pm with the usual format.
On Tuesday, May 2 the gents had a friendly game at home against Burnside. Club president Iain McKay, who is recuperating from recent heart surgery, was not able to play but opened proceedings and 12 ends took place in fine weather conditions.
Iain’s first friendly as president ended in a defeat for Kirkhill by around 18 shots overall. Kirkhill’s best rink was skipped by Charlie Lamont and they donated their prize to local charity CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) as did the Burnside lads.
On the night ladies president Jean Kerr led a group of women who did a great job providing refreshments for both teams and the duty directors were busy in the bar. Kirkhill member Brian Gallagher had to play for Burnside for a few ends leaving Ronnie Wilson to man the clubhouse, so at least Brian was on a winning side.
All participants enjoyed the evening which was closed by vice president John Coubrough on behalf of Iain McKay.
On Friday evening, May 5, winners of the Harry Noble competition were Dougie Wilson and Martin Robertson who finished 14 shots up.
The club was in use on Saturday when a training course for umpires and markers was organised by Bowls Scotland using one of the greens.
The greens are running well at present and members have started the early rounds of the club competitions organised by gents match secretary Jim Cunningham and his able helpers .
Halfway and District
Last Saturday saw the Robert and Anna Dick mixed pairs take place at Halfway and District.
Twenty-two teams battled it out for the right to represent the club in the 2017 Bowls Scotland qualifiers.
Eventual winners were Iain and Fiona Firth. They were the only team to win all five group games and kept their good form going to win their semi-final then defeat Shirley Gamble and John Smith in the final.
This Saturday sees the Curley Butchers two-bowls pairs take place. Twenty-four teams will take part in what is another popular tournament.
The McPike 1+1 pairs will take place on Sunday, May 21, and the club would like to remind members the competition is open to both ladies and gents.
It would be preferred if teams consisted of one Halfway member and one visitor but if need be, two Halfway members can play together.
Meanwhile, the external competitions started last week and Halfway got off to a flier in the Gilliland League when Brian McLeod, Bryan McAllister, Jim Wilson and Martin Wilson defeated Overtoun Park 16-8 on their own green.
This week’s opponents are Whitefield at home and they play St Leonards at home next week.
The LBA knockout ties start this week and Halfway are only involved in one prelim. Alan Barr and Stewart Conway will take on Motherwell at Uddingston on Thursday night. The singles, pairs, triples and senior fours got a bye into the first round next Thursday night.
The under 45’s play Bellshill and Mossend on Saturday morning at Bothwell.
The RDBA knockout ties start next Tuesday and Halfway are involved in prelims in the singles and pairs.
The club would also like to congratulate David Fergus who was selected to represent Lanarkshire South again in the Andrew Hamilton trophy. The opening game takes place on Saturday away to Dumfriesshire.
Rutherglen
The club got off to a poor start in the North Eastern League last Friday against Parkhead BC with only one away win. This week’s game is against Foxley BC.
A balloted pairs tournament last Saturday was won by Gil Morgan and Andy Dunn.
Today, Wednesday, Alex Hutton and Alastair Dick play Mearns BC in the GBA pairs at Castlemilk BC.
On Saturday the club has the Hutcheon Trophy competition (balloted fours) starting at 11am.
The Monday evening aggregate game was won by Gil Morgan and Joe Paul.
Whitefield
Whitefield’s Lanarkshire League Division 7 team had a fantastic win against their Division 1 opponents Uddingston on Sunday in the League Cup.
Despite being behind on two of the rinks for most of the match, grit, determination and skill saw the Whitefield teams fight back to march on to the next round away to Mount Vernon on May 14.
The senior representative games continued in the Cambuslang and District League. Whitefield played Mount Vernon in the two rink format and honours were even with one win to each team.
The gents aggregate winners were Gerry Boyd, Raymond Stark and Michael Rodgers who were 14 shots up. The Ladies aggregate and also the gents is played today at 7pm prompt. Last week’s winners were Phyllis Boyd, Margaret Fellows and Anne Grant.
The first round ties in the gents singles tournaments are due for completion on Sunday, May 14. The club urges anyone who is yet to play their ties to contact their opponent and get on to the green before it is too late.
Cambuslang
The Gilliland League game on Tuesday, May 2 saw the club’s away team lose at Tollcross BC.
They were due to play their second league game at home against Kingswood BC yesterday evening after the Reformer had went to print.
In the Cambuslang District Seniors Rinks League on Wednesday, Cambuslang’s two rinks, who played away against Templeton BC, lost both games.
Today, Wednesday, they are at home against Rutherglen BC a 10am.
On Wednesday, May 16, Cambuslang play away at Kirkhill BC.
Monday points, May 8: Pair John McDonald and John Mitchell won with 23 shots up.
The internal Ryder Cup tournament saw a victory for the vice president’s team, 27 shots to 23 on Saturday. And this weekend, Saturday, they have four rinks away against Burnside, 2pm.
Burnside
Burnside played their first parish match of the season and made the short journey up Brownside Road to their near neighbours at Kirkhill.
Burnside took a crack squad of six rinks and pre season training paid dividends as Burnside managed a first victory of 2017. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all and president Kenny Stirratt thanked Kirkhill for their hospitality and camaraderie once again.
On the same night Burnside played their first match in the Gilliland League and managed to secure victory in the inaugural game of the season where they managed to take the scalp of Rutherglen on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday the senior fours shared the spoils with a victory and a reverse again against Rutherglen BC.
The bowling calendar gets busier now with club competitions at first round stages and Burnside also have two teams out in the preliminary stages of the GBA.
On Saturday the club play in another parish game with Cambuslang BC the visitors and Burnside will hope to retain their 100 per cent start to the season so far.
Lists are up for names to play on ladies day and please note this fixture has been moved from the traditional Saturday to Thursday, May 18.
The Monday night aggregate was played in excellent conditions in a warm sunny evening and a large turnout meant Burnside bowlers were playing in the green set for seven full rinks.
Four of those rinks consisted of their JVP Fours competition which was at the quarter final stage. The winners of the prizes on the night came from the JVP fours and a highly experienced rink were 16 shots up, narrowly beating the rink of Boots McDonald into silver position.
The winning outfit was led by club raconteur Tom Connor, followed by bowling novice John Sinclair, third was Chrissie Allan with Dug Lyburn coming in at the rear. Rink and Raffle on the night both took in £52 which will go to good causes.