Jean and Claire will have an Irish fling

Feb 13 2009

AUCHINLECK pair Jean Sykes and Claire Johnston have been named in the Scotland women’s squad to play an international series at Belfast from March 13 to 15.

The seniors beat Nithsdale 67-52 in the first round of the senior knockout cup at East Kilbride. Scores: T. Murdoch 14, W. Dalgleish 17; W. Sykes 20, I. McLelland 11; W. McArthur 14, S. Gilmour 15; D. Mitchell 19, J. McCall 9.

The seniors were due to play Inverclyde at Blantyre on Wednesday. Rink 1: A. Mitchell, C. Provan, J. McCracken, Dvd Mitchell; Rink 2: J. Scott, J. Bunting, D. Weir, W. Sykes; Rink 3: I. Hall, W. Alexander, C. Cathie, W. McArthur; Rink 4: A. McCracken, W. McLatchie, J. MacKenzie, T. Murdoch.

The gents beat West Lothian 82-73 in a Scottish Knockout Cup prelim tie at West of Scotland. Scores: D. McClue 28, G. Archer 9; G. Johnstone 13, T. Mann 27; S. Anderson 8, N. Spiers 22; D. Watson 33, M. Allison 16.

The gents now play East Lothian at Coatbridge a week on Saturday.

On Sunday, Auchinleck hosted the Ayrshire women’s pairs and triples playdowns.

Pairs: quarter-finals: Ayr 6, Irvine 13; Prestwick 8, Ardrossan 15; semi-finals: Auchinleck 15, Galleon 4; Irvine v Ardrossan off due to illness.

Triples: quarter-finals: Auchinleck 19, Irvine 6; Galleon 19, Ardrossan 16; semi-finals: Auchinleck 8, Galleon 14; Prestwick 17, Ayr 10. The qualifiers now play in the finals at Ardrossan on Sunday April 5.

Craig McClue and Ryan Robinson represented Auchinleck in the junior challenge singles at the Galleon. The boys both won two out of three games but failed to qualify for the finals.

On Saturday, the juniors will entertain Ardrossan from 10am to 12 noon. The seniors play Ardrossan at Irvine in their first match in the Ayrshire League.