Seafield bowler Allister Reid is best of British

Jul 9 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

LAID back Allister Reid can't wait to take on the world –- after the biggest win of his bowling career.

The 40-year-old self employed joiner from Ayr followed up his Scottish title by winning the British Isles singles at Worthing.

Reid, who heads to the world champion of champions in the South Pacific in November, revealed: "I'm ecstatic because this win tops everything.

"Now I'm starting to get excited about going to Norfolk Island. I'll face the best players in the world so it's going to be some occasion.

"But before that, I'm off to Spain later this month to play in a test against South Africa and Northern Ireland. They say life begins at 40 –-it certainly does for me."

Reid, who was roared on by a handful of fans from his Seafield club, beat Tony Hancock of Wales 21-20 to reach the final.

Then he turned on the style to dump Guernsey's Matt le Ber 21-14 to clinch the blue riband title.

Allister then turned fan as he cheered Glaisnock Valley's Murray Thomson, Brian Jolly, StewartAnderson and James Gribben to gold in the fours.

The Valley boys romped to a 25-9 win over Jersey in a one sidedfinal.

Allister added: "It was great that the two representatives from District 19 have come back as British champions. I am so pleased for the district organiser Gordon Neil and his wife Nancy who were there to cheer us.

"I struggled in the first game and didn't get the flow. I was unconsciously nervous but in the final I played a lot better."

lBOWLING –- PAGE 109.