05/09/2026
Finals Saturday saw a gorgeous sunny day, albeit a bit windy, with a decent turnout of members and a few visitors treated to a couple of really close matches.
First off at 12.30 was the Senior Singles Final between Steve Buchanan and current club champion Craig Stephenson. Craig started faster and built up a lead of 7-3, then 12-5 and then at 16-11 came a big turning point. With Craig lying a close 3 shots and Steve with one bowl left and facing a 19-11 deficit, he managed to trail the jack back for a 2. Now the score was 16-13 for Craig but Steve pulled the mat up close to the 25 metre marker and began to put Craig under pressure by landing his first two bowls on top of the jack for the next few ends. With Steve managing to sneak in front 19-18 he gained the two shots he needed on end 24 to record a 21-18 victory.
Onto the Nominated Mixed Pairs Final where Karen and Steve Buchanan were facing recent Scottish Mixed Pairs Silver medalists Aileen and Les Donald. This match kept the crowd entertained for almost 3 hours with the lead changing hands several times. After 15 ends Karen and Steve had edged ahead 15-13 but end 16 proved pivotal. Aileen and Les played a great end and scored a count of 5 to lead 18-15 going into the last end. Not to be denied, Karen drew a couple of good bowls to hold 2 shots with the skips to play. Steve managed to add a third and when Les failed to change anything with his last bowl, Steve had an opportunity to add a fourth shot for the win but was slightly wide, so an extra end it was! Aileen won the toss and her and Les chose to have the last bowl. After Karen's 4 bowls she was lying right on top of the jack with another toucher a few inches away, however Aileen played a superb last bowl to edge the shot bowl, and slightly open the head. Les then sprung the jack to the ditch with his first bowl and followed through close to the ditch. With the Donald's now holding shot, Steve had a chance to push one of Karen's touchers into the ditch but despite coming close with his last bowl, it stayed a bowl wide and it was game over. Huge congratulations to Aileen and Les on yet another Mixed Pairs victory, three in a row and I think seven or eight in total π
So it's onto tomorrow now with the last two Finals being played at 2pm. Steve v Les in the Handicap Singles and Karen & John Buchanan v Bob Sturton and Kenny Gray in the Club Pairs.
Thank you to everyone who came down to support today and add to the atmosphere. Thanks to Charlie Milne for marking the Singles, Brian for doing the scoring on the big board for the Singles and Charlie for the big board in the Mixed Pairs. Finally thanks to Aileen and Annie for providing the teas, coffees and Bacon rolls.