Prestwick indoor bowlers win junior national triples

Apr 8 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PRESTWICK’S Adam Grant, Andrew Weir and Jordan Slaven are Scottish Young Indoor Bowlers Association national triples champions.

The venue was Bainfield for the pairs and triples championship and Prestwick adjusted to the heavier carpet well, winning their opening match in the group stages 9-5 against Dumbarton. They then had their only defeat, losing 4-5 against Garioch from Inverurie.

In the last game, Prestwick knew a comfortable win would be enough to qualify and they coasted through 19-4.

In the final, Prestwick beat Lanarkshire 6-2 to lift the Drakes Pride Trophy.

Prestwick hosted the Martin and White invitation fours on Saturday with 18 teams competing. In the semi finals, Michael Higgins (Prestwick) beat Ian Crawford (Galleon) while Sam Watson (Auchinleck) beat Eddie Doolan (Prestwick).

After a close fought final, the team of Sam Watson, David Gass, Colin Smith and John Candlish won in an extra end when John ditched the jack with the last bowl.

Beaten finalists were Michael Higgins, Joe Reid, Alan Paxton and Morris Sturgeon.

Prestwick was due to host on Wednesday the senior invitation triples, sponsored by Morag and Hugh Crichton.

The draw for the Scottish Premier League for next season took place on Saturday with Prestwick facing some tough matches but avoiding the longer trips. Prestwick have Blantyre and Paisley in their section who they beat at home but lost away to last season.

This year they also face East Lothian and West Lothian who are always competitive in the Premier League. The section is completed with Alloa who are newly promoted and are playing in the Premier League for the first time.

Play continues at Prestwick in all league and knockout competitions. On Friday, the team of Hector Berretti, Jim Ross, Jim Fortune and Morris Sturgeon won the national senior fours playdown and on Monday night Rose-ena Smillie and Stuart Reid won the knockout mixed pairs after beating Lorna Thomson and Wilson Duffy in the final.

Finals night is on Thursday, April 21 with the ladies, gents, under 25, senior and under 17 singles finals scheduled for that night.

A number of juniors head to Falkirk on Sunday to compete in the SYIBA adult and junior triples. This is an annual event with entries open to all member clubs of the SYIBA.

After wins in the Generation Game at West of Scotland and the SYIBA triples, the juniors are hopeful of making it a hat-trick of wins.