CLYDEBANK AND DISTRICT BOWLING ASSOCIATION The majority of the CDBA clubs held their green openings at the weekend. The first green to open was Radnor Park on the evening of Friday, April 4. President Jim MacDonald’s wife opened the green on a dry, mild night and wished all members a good bowling season.

On Saturday, April 5, no less than six clubs held their opening days. Despite heavy rain for most of the morning, the rain stopped just in time to allow several ends of play.

Albion’s green held their Opening Ceremony in advance of the others and this was hosted by President Colin Ballantyne. Anne Milne, wife of President Allan Milne opened Singer’s green and the Dalmuir green was opened by President Sam Bonnar’s partner Mary Mulgrew who wished the members a successful season.

Graeme McPhillips is the President of Victoria Park for the second year in succession and their green was also opened on Saturday.

The other two greens that opened on Saturday were Old Kilpatrick (President Gordon Renfrew) and Yoker.

The remaining two District Clubs will open their greens for the 2014 season this weekend. Yarrow members and guests have been invited to attend at 6pm on Friday April 11 to allow an early opening and several ends of play. Ricky McDougall is the Yarrow President this year.

Scotstounhill are the final District Club to open their green and this will be carried out by President Willie Duff on Saturday at 1.30 for 2.00pm.

The ladies from Old Kilpatrick, Clydebank and Victoria Park will all hold their opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 12. The Scotstounhill ladies hold their opening day on Sunday, April 13 and the Yarrow ladies attend on Tuesday, April 15 at 2pm to hold their opening day.

In addition to the various green openings there are several other games arranged for this coming weekend. Old Kilpatrick hold their annual “Old Yins” v “Young Uns” game on Friday, April 11.

Clydebank have a Gents Sweep on Saturday, April 12 and Dalmuir hold their annual President v Vice President encounter on the same day.

BOWLS SCOTLAND Hearing reports that the Bowls Scotland draws for District 11 will be delayed this year.

In the absence of a ladies secretary the competitions will be administered by Anna Marshall, the Bowls Scotland Director of Championships and Events. It also appears that the ladies’ fixtures are to be held on Saturdays and Sundays (instead of Thursday afternoons) this year to allow working ladies the chance to participate in the competitions.

District 11 clubs have been asked to submit available dates and although some have responded positively there is still a shortage of available green space.

Ms Marshall has also advised that the gent’s draw cannot be sent out until the ladies draws are completed “in the interests of equality”.

There should not be a problem for clubs who are fortunate to have two greens but it seems that other clubs might need to consider altering their weekend fixtures to accommodate this request.

A meeting has been arranged for Monday, April 14 at Dumbarton Bowling Club (7pm start) in an effort to resolve the issue. Each club has been asked to send one male and one female representative to the meeting.

In other news Bowls Scotland has issued all members of all affiliated clubs a Membership Benefit Card. The idea is that the card will give bowlers in Scotland a return on their club membership.

Once the cards have been activated, members will be offered discounts exclusive to Bowls Scotland as well as entry to monthly prize draws. Contact your club secretaries for further details.

SCOTTISH INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION The Ladies Scottish Cup final was held on Saturday, April 5 at East Kilbride IBC. Congratulations to the Auchinleck Ladies who beat Turriff Ladies 91-64. The Gents Scottish Cup semi-finals were also held on Saturday. Blantyre beat Bainfield and Cumbernauld defeated Turriff. The final between Blantyre and Cumbernauld will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Stirling IBC.

The National Team Championship was held on Sunday, April 6 at West Lothian IBC. The match between Arbroath and Cumbernauld finished 4-4 but Arbroath won the final by virtue of their superior shots total. The Scottish under-35’s cup final will be held at Ayr IBC on Sunday, April 13. The match is between West Lothian and Auchinleck.

GLASGOW AND DISTRICT INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION The Glasgow and District Bowling Association Finals will be held at Cumbernauld IBC on Sunday, April 13.

The seniors’ finals and Juniors’ finals will be held in the morning. The fixtures are as follows: senior singles: Fintry v Blantyre, senior pairs – Whiteinch v Allander, senior triples – Whiteinch v East Kilbride, senior fours – Cumbernauld v Dumbarton, Junior under-16 singles – Blantyre v West of Scotland, junior under-25 singles – Cumbernauld v Dumbarton. The ladies and gents competition are scheduled for the afternoon session. Ladies fixtures: singles – Dumbarton v Coatbridge, pairs – Blantyre v Whiteinch, triples – Allander v Blantyre, fours – Fintry v Cumbernauld. The Gents fixtures are: Singles – Cumbernauld v Whiteinch, Pairs – Whiteinch v West of Scotland, Triples – Whiteinch v Dumbarton, Fours – Cumbernauld v Clydebank.

The gents triples league play-off was won by Blantyre who beat Dumbarton in the final. The ladies triples league play-off was won by Cumbernauld who defeated Allander in the final. In the seniors final Blantyre beat Whiteinch.