Cream of Scottish bowlers chase titles at Northfield

Jul 30 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE pride of Scottish bowlers are battling for honours in the national gents and women's championships which opened at Northfield on Wednesday.

And local favourites are hoping to still be in contention when the finals come to a climax on Sunday.

John Candlish (Coylton), Joyce Kennedy (Peter Boyle) and Jean Sykes (Cumnock) are among those chasing the blue riband singles.

And they will be bidding to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Scottish champion Allister Reid (Seafield) who went on to win the British Isles singles.

Candlish opens with a first round tie against Alistair McLelland (West Netherton), Sykes faces Commonwealth Games star Lyn Stein (Kennoway) while Kennedy is up against an opponent from Craigentinny.

Craig Cobbledick (Coylton), Martin Williamson (Irvine Park) and Cameron Tanner (Riccarton) are chasing the junior singles. They face Matthew Norrie (Brora), Kevin Donaldson (Gordon) and Kevin Anderson (Dumbarton) respectively. Kalena McCrumb (Townholm) takes on Riddrie.

Hawkhill's Drew Dunlop and Colin Smith open against Gretna in the pairs. Colleen Cowie and Maureen Shimmons (Annbank) take on Callendar while Cumnock's Nan Holland and Linda Bryce face Colinton.

Auchinleck's Tom Bohan, James Gibson and Garry Johnstone meet Thurso in the triples. Elizabeth Nelson, Elizabeth Campbell and Anne Brown (Newton Park) take on Blackburn. Galston's Mary Grier, Jacqueline Grier and Roberta Simpson are up against Cardross.

In the gents fours, Tarbolton's Peter Brown, George Emms, Drew Boyd and Craig Lindsay face Stirling. Troon Portland take on Caledonia while Girdle Toll meet Houldsworth.

Troon Portland go in the ladies fours with Pat Sutherland, Mary Tennant, Carol Murray and Val O'Neill against Castlepark. Cumnock's Alison Telfer, Joan McKenzie, Margaret Bingham and Josephine Williamson face Westerton.

Mauchline are chasing the gents seniors fours. Their rink of D. Vance, W. Watson, J. McHallum and D. Weir takes on Shotts Iron Works. Kilmarnock Portland play Hillington Estate while Ardrossan face Stranraer West End.

In the ladies senior fours, Girvan's Janette Nardini, Elizabeth Clarke, Helen McDowall and Isobel Connor play Ardgowan. Hurlford's Margaret Kerr, Nan Morrice, Margaret Allardyce and Margaret Livingstone are against Newhills.

The ladies two bowl triples takes place at Bainfield on August 7 and 8. Chasing gold are Glenda Gourlay, Dianne Finlayson and Jean Shearer (Prestwick) and Liz Magorian, Heather Kay and Josephine Williamson (Cumnock).