Prestwick bowlers Junior Cole and Robert Rae reach semi-finalss

Oct 22 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PRESTWICK had a good weekend of bowls both in the Scottish gents two bowl pairs qualifier with Junior Cole and Robert Rae reaching the semi-finals and in the Scottish Leagues where the senior and ladies sides had comfortable home wins.

The Scottish two bowl pairs began on Sunday at Ayr with Cole and Rae beating Irvine 2-0 and Craig Adrain and Steven Burns of Ardrossan 2-1.

In the quarter-final, they beat Auchinleck in the third set of a tightly fought contest.

They now play in the semi-final against Paul Brown and Stuart Pagan of Abbeyview on November 28 at Aberdeen. The other semi-finalists are Michael Connelly and Kevin Anderson of Dumbarton and Colin Banks and Bruce Middleton of Garioch.

The Scottish ladies two bowl pairs also took place on Sunday with Nancy Gelleburn and Betty Hainey representing Prestwick. They lost in their first game to Ardrossan. West of Scotland, Stonehaven, Falkirk and Nithsdale were the qualifiers.

The senior team came back from a narrow defeat to Auchinleck last week to beat a struggling Irvine side 85-47.

Rink scores: M Sturgeon 23 C Hay 11; C Eade 21 W Clark 11; M Higgins 27 T Clark 12; A Paxton 14 B McCreadie 13.

The seniors are now away to Ayr. Team: Rink 1: Willie Ferguson, Hector Berretti, Jim Fortune, Cliff Eade; Rink 2: Scott Watson, Willie Fulton, Dougie McKie, Michael Higgins; Rink 3 - David Brown, Tom Howson, Joe Reid, Alan Paxton; Rink 4 - Willie Kennedy, John Lindsay, John Docherty, Morris Sturgeon.

The ladies enjoyed their second home win of the campaign when they beat Ardrossan 82-61 to go second in their section.

Scores: Wilma Ogilvie 24, Anna Hastie 12; Kathie Mitchell 21, Janice Dougall 15; Val O’Neill 22, Cathie Murphy 12; Betty McKinlay 15, Jean McColl 22.

The selectors have made small changes for the match this weekend’s game at home to Ayr. Rink 1: Barbara Alexander, Dorothy Nimmo, Jean Paterson, Kathie Mitchell; Rink 2: Margaret McRonald, Muriel Cowley, Cathy Lawson, Betty McKinlay; Rink 3: Ella Caddis, May Hood, Betty Hainey, Wilma Ogilvie; Rink 4: Doreen Wilson, Nancy Gelleburn, Margaret Wells, Val O’Neill.

The gents lost 98-62 away at Paisley with the only consolation being a 18-12 win for Robert McCulloch against Scottish Internationalist John Gilmartin. Gary Martin lost 10-29 to Derek Stobo, Paul Boyd lost 19-26 to David Fisher while Drew Boyd was beaten 15-31 by Scottish outdoor singles champion Jonathon Ross.

The gents have a week off now before facing a crucial match away at East Fife on Saturday, October 30.

One of the main events of the bowling year takes place this weekend with the gents national singles playdown at Auchinleck. Gary Martin will represent Prestwick and meets Alan Bruce of Fraserburgh at 11.30am.

Other interest comes from David Gass (Ayr), Martin Williamson (Irvine), Jack Montgomerie (Ardrossan), Steven Rankin (Auchinleck) and Alistair McLelland (Galleon).

The Ayrshire fours league started on Sunday with Prestwick hosting the first round of matches. Auchinleck beat Ardrossan 8-0. Irvine were forced to concede against the Galleon and withdraw from the league due to lack of players. Next round of fixtures are on Sunday, October 31.

Prestwick hosts a Halloween Wappenschaw on Saturday, October 30 from 3pm to 6pm. All welcome to attend, £8 per head with a two course meal after play is finished at 6pm. Every player will play three games of five ends during the time limit. There are many spot prizes and also a prize for the best costume on the day.