Thurso battle but suffer semi-final defeat
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THURSO Bowling Club’s hopes of a top-10 final spot were dashed when they were beaten 6-2 by Inverness Bowling Club last Sunday.
Playing in the semi-final of the District Top Ten Championship, Thurso were hopeful home advantage would see them avenge last year’s final defeat.
But that was wiped out when heavy rain ensured the green was playing slower than usual, suiting the city players much more.
Ronnie Bain gained Thurso’s only win, beating Ian Penwright 21-12 in the singles. Steven Buttress’s rink of Ian Pickthal, Douglas Morrison and Nigel Gower had a hard battle with Mark Davidson’s rink and only lost by one shot.
The normally reliable pairs found themselves 12 shots down after four ends and never recovered to go down by 25 shots to 10. The triples fared no better losing to a strong Inverness three 33-7. The Inverness club will now host the winners of the Wick St Fergus and Alness match in the final.
Saturday saw the Blargoans-sponsored Construction triples cup contended for with 20 triples taking to the green.
First-round upsets saw Janet Sinclair, Douglas Morrison and Nigel Gower bow out after Linda Morrison, Euan Morrison and Kevin Sinclair came out on top in a close-fought affair, and Keane Miller, Nancy MacAdie and Raffe McIntyre see off Chelsea Bain, Alan Morrison and Ronnie Bain.
The top half of the draw saw Douglas Fraser, Brian Cormack and Lorna McDermid book their final spot when they ended Julie and Peter Knapp and Peter Dymond jnr’s run of form.
Coming through from the bottom half was Brian Mutch, Lynne Swanson and Ricky McMahon who defeated Jill Tewnion, Danny Hitchin and Brian Tewnion in a tight game, eventually winning 16-12.
The final was tense early on with the scores locked at 6-6 after six ends but Lorna produced some telling bowls to see them crowned champions.
This weekend sees the club’s final day take place when the ladies’ and men’s singles titles will be decided.
Lining up in the ladies’ final will be Cath Irons and Janet Sinclair with man-of-the-moment John Harris taking on Steven Buttress in the men’s final.
There will be a number of other finals taking place with the action kicking of at 1pm with the singles due on at 3pm and a final session at 6pm.
There will be a country-and-western-themed social to finish off in the clubhouse once play has finished.
Thurso’s junior section takes to the green on Sunday for a day of competitions starting at 11am. A good attendance by members would be most appreciated to give their support over the two days.
