CLYDEBANK & DISTRICT BOWLING ASSOCIATION THE CDBA Champion of Champions finals were held at Yarrow B.C. on Saturday, September 6.

There were a lot of quality bowls played during the day, none more so than in the Gents Singles final, where Grant Russell of Clydebank pipped Charlie Steele of Scotstounhill 21-20 in a fantastic match. David MacMillan of Dalmuir won the Junior (under-25) Singles crown beating Ross Ward by a 21-10 scoreline. The Pairs final also proved to be a classic encounter when the score was 14-14 after 16 ends. However, the Dalmuir pairing of Phil Sherry and Ian Duncan won the last end to prevail over Alistair MacKay and Tony Cochrane of Yarrow, the game finishing 16-14. In the Triples final the Dalmuir team of Hugh Sharpe, Peter Mason and George Griffin were well in front but David Keel, Colin Laird and Joe Kerrigan (Clydebank) finished strongly and won the match 17-15. The Gents Fours final was also very close and it was only in the last few ends that Yoker pulled clear of Radnor Park to win the match. The final result was Stuart Watson/Les Durkan/Bill Barclay/Gary Earl (Yoker) 19 Ian Falconer/Stuart McVicar/Frank Smith Jnr/Frank Smith Snr (Radnor Park) 12. In the Senior Fours, the Scotstounhill rink of P. Hughes/R. Fairbairn/G. Johnstone/Stuart Livingstone had a convincing 20-4 victory over Gordon Laird/Blair Graham/Gerry Kane/Jim McGinley of Clydebank. The Champion of Champions trophies were presented by district president Frank Carrigan assisted by vice president Colin Ballantyne and secretary John Anderson.

The penultimate games in the CDBA David Syme Senior League were played on Monday, September 1. It was no change at the top of the league as the top four clubs all had 4-0 victories. The results from week 17 in the David Syme League were as follows: Dalmuir 4 Albion 0, Clydebank 4 Old Kilpatrick 0, Scotstounhill 4 Victoria Park 0, Radnor Park 4 Yoker 0 and Yarrow 4 Singer 0. The full league table going in to the last game looks like this: 1. Clydebank 45 points, 2. Dalmuir 44 points, 3. Yarrow 42 points, 4. Radnor Park 39 points, 5. Albion 35 points, 6. Old Kilpatrick 32 points, 7. Singer 30 points, 8. Scotstounhill 27 points, 9. Yoker 24 points, 10. Victoria Park 23 points.

The week 18 fixtures were due to be played on Monday, September 8 and by the time you read this column the winners will be known. After a marathon season the outcome of the David Syme League comes down to the final game between the top two clubs, Clydebank and Dalmuir. Clydebank have a lead of just one point, but this means they only need to win one of the two games, whereas Dalmuir need to win both (or win one and draw one). The game was due to be held at Dalmuir who won the trophy last season. The other intriguing game is between the third and fourth placed clubs, Yarrow and Radnor Park. Last year’s runners-up Radnor Park must win both games to finish ahead of Yarrow in third position. The fixtures due to played on Monday 8th September are as follows: Dalmuir v Clydebank, Albion v Yoker, Old Kilpatrick v Victoria Park, Radnor Park v Yarrow and Singer v Scotstounhill.

DISTRICT CLUB NEWS The Dalmuir B.C. Ladies held their remaining finals over the course of last week. The full list of results is as follows: Championship Singles – Christine Sayer beat Mary Griffin, presidents – Mary Griffin beat Christine Sayer, Balloted Pairs – Irene Allan and Mary Griffin beat Agnes Watson and Margaret McDougall, Nominated Pairs – Ruby Smith and Mary Griffin beat Margaret McDougall and Mary Matson, Triples – Geraldine Pollock, Evelyn Walters and Ruby Smith beat Agnes Watson, Rena Carson and Christine Sayers, Two Bowl Pairs – Margaret McDougall and Mary Griffin beat Agnes Watson and Christine Sayer. The Dalmuir Ladies are holding their annual “Cancer Support Day” on Wednesday, September 10 (today).

Singer B.C. held their annual September Cup on Saturday, September 6 which is a mixed pairs event sponsored by members Carol and Sam McGeachy. The winners of the Cup were Andrea and Michael McMahon (Singer) who beat Irene Stewart and Alex McBain (Radnor Park) in a close final. The Singer Balloted Pairs internal knockout final was played last weekend. The winners were Derek Rawls and Andrew Crawford who prevailed over Jim McIver and Andy Smith.

There are still a number of District Club competitions to be held before the greens close. Games scheduled for Saturday, September 13 are as follows: Clydebank – Friendly v Abercorn (Away), Dalmuir – President’s Invitational, Old Kilpatrick – Friendship Cup, Radnor Park – John Campbell Pairs, Scotstounhill – “2+2” Tournament, Singer – Gents Open Fours, Victoria Park – Gents Open Fours, Yarrow – Select Mixed Pairs.

DUMBARTONSHIRE BOWLING ASSOCIATION Dumbartonshire Bowling Association participated in the Under-25 Calder Cup recently which was held at Sighthill Bowling Club. Three local bowlers, Ryan Hughes, Stuart Ivens and David MacMillan (all Dalmuir) took part in the top nine format competition, consisting of a Pair, Triple and Rink. Although DBA won their first 2 matches, they were narrowly beaten by holders Edinburgh and Lothian County in their third match and did not qualify from their section. DBA secretary Jimmy Dalziel said: “The boys all played well and did not let the DBA down in any way.” Mr Dalziel went on to thank the players, officials and car drivers who made the journey through to Edinburgh.The under-25 team have a friendly match against Renfrewshire at Gourock B.C. on Sunday, September 14.

SCOTTISH INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION With the District Club greens due to close within the next few weeks some bowlers are already turning their attention to the indoor bowling season. Whiteinch Indoor Bowling Club held their opening day on Sunday, September 7 and some of the internal leagues were programmed to commence the following day.

The Whiteinch president this year is Peter Murray and the fees are £70 (excluding lockers). Clydebank Indoor Bowling Club, which is based at the Playdrome Leisure Centre, will open for play on Monday, September 22.

Hugh Sharpe is the 2014/15 president and the fees are expected to be around £30 for the season.

The majority of the Scottish Indoor Leagues are scheduled to start in October and the Gents National Singles knockout competition commences on Saturday, October 4.