Bowling: Prestwick’s Michael Higgins and Morris Sturgeon miss out in senior pairs

Mar 4 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PRESTWICK’S Michael Higgins and Morris Sturgeon came up just short in their bid to claim the first ever national senior pairs title at Falkirk.

They beat Alloa’s Robert Craig and Brian Rattray 19-12 in the semi after claiming a four and a three over the last two ends.

This booked a tie against Coatbridge duo John Smith and Willie Harkness. Willie is a former international skip and his experience showed as his pair built a lead they were never to relinquish en route to a 13-8 win.

Prestwick beat Portobello 119-51 at Whiteinch in the first round of the gents Scottish Knockout Cup and recorded wins on all four rinks. The next round should prove a lot tougher when they face holders East Lothian in two weeks at East Kilbride.

Prestwick ladies travel to Galleon on Saturday to play Auchinleck in a re-arranged Ayrshire league match. Prestwick was the host venue for the Ayrshire games on Saturday with Auchinleck recording a thumping win over Galleon and Irvine andArdrossan playing out a close match.

This Saturday morning sees Prestwick host the Ayrshire Seniors League fixtures with Auchinleck playing Ardrossan and Galleon playing Irvine.

The Scottish fours playdowns take place over the weekend with the Prestwick representatives travelling to Cumbernauld to play. On Saturday, the gents team have a bye through the 9.30am session and play the winner of the Fintry and Auchinleck match at 2pm. Prestwick ladies play East Lothian at 9.30am.

On Sunday, the School of Excellence playdowns take place at Ardrossan with Prestwick in a section alongside Auchinleck, Blantyre, Galleon and Paisley.

It’s a last chance to purchase tickets for the ‘Time of Your Life’ cabaret on Sunday, March 13. Tickets are £8.50 and include a knife and fork buffet. Show starts at 4pm.

lAyr Indoor senior gents missed out on a semi-final place in the Scottish Senior Cup, losing 73-57 to Galleon at Paisley.

Ayr had been ahead for much of the game but a strong finish from Galleon saw them pull clear.

The gents team also dropped out of the Scottish Cup, losing 86-79 to Ardrossan at Galleon. Three quarters of the way through the game, Ayr held a narrow lead but Ardrossan held their game together well and opened a gap of around 15 shots with a handful of ends to play.

Allister Reid's rink managed to score a seven in their final end to help reduce the margin but ultimately it wasn't enough and although Ayr won two of the four games their Scottish Cup campaign ended.

The only fixture left is the outstanding away league match at Whiteinch, provisionally scheduled for Saturday or Sunday, April 9 or 10.

This weekend sees the start of the National Fours Championships. The gents rink face Cowal at Cumbernauld in the prelim round on Saturday. They will hope to progress to Stirling on Sunday for a last 16 match.

The ladies rink are in action at the same venues. They face Auchinleck in their prelim round on Saturday.