Walking on Ayr in National Finals

Berwickshire bowlers returned from the Bowls Scotland National Finals at Ayr's Northfield greens last weekend with an unprecedented medal haul.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2016, 13:03 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2016, 15:08 BST
Gordon BC Pair Callum Donaldson (left) and Craig Martin made the semi-final stages of the 2016 National Bowling Championships at Ayr.Gordon BC Pair Callum Donaldson (left) and Craig Martin made the semi-final stages of the 2016 National Bowling Championships at Ayr.
Gordon BC Pair Callum Donaldson (left) and Craig Martin made the semi-final stages of the 2016 National Bowling Championships at Ayr.

Top of the crop was Berwick’s Margaret Robertson whose focus never wavered as she cruised to victory in the Ladies Singles Championship.

Battling the worst of the week’s weather Margaret began her campaign last Tuesday with a 21-9 win over London Road Foundry. Victories over Lanark Thistle (21-5) and Calderbank (21-15) the following day saw her progress to the semi-finals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former internationalist never wavered as she progressed through the rounds and capped her week off on Thursday with a 21-9 win over Cumnock before beating Kilmarnock Portland 21-13 in the final.

Hundreds of supporters from the region were at Northfield to cheer on members of their own clubs as well as any other Berwickshire and Borders Bowling Association representatives in action.

And the local bowlers did not let them down. Gordon duo Callum Donaldson and Craig Martin were in fine form in the pairs competition and swept into the semi-finals with victories over Clarkston (20-11), Hamilton Caledonian (23-13) and Tarves (17-16) before going down to eventual winners Mount Vernon (21-13). Semi-final (bronze medal) success also came the way of two teams from Earlston. The triple of Steven Greer, Alex Moffat and Bob Beattie (skip) made their semi-final before being edged out 14-10 by Hyndland in their umpteenth cliff-hanger of the week while the Senior Four, George Douglas, Alex Fairley, Pat McNally and George Cessford were beaten by Upper Cowal 18-11.

Other Berwickshire League representatives at Ayr were: Ladies Fours - Norma Renton, Cath Cochrane, Mary McCann and Dilys Todrick (Berwick); Ladies Triples - Susan Lee, Linda Renton and Margaret Douglas (Spittal); Mens Fours - George Douglas, Michael Scott, Pat McNally and George Cessford (Earlston).

Related topics:BerwickshireBerwick