The Final of the Stewartry Top Ten was played at New Abbey tonight. The Final is sponsored by the Trophy Shop, English Street, Dumfries, thanks to them for their support.

In a tight game Kirkcudbright get the better of New Abbey and won 6 - 2. At the halfway point in this match New Abbey looked to be in control and were leading in the Singles, Pairs & Fours but Kirkcudbright fought back well and managed to win the Pairs, Triples and Rinks.

In the singles John McFarlane was always going to find it difficult against an inform Keith Shuttleworth. After 5 ends Keith was 8 - 2 in front and 18 - 5 after 10 ends. John then had a wee rally and got to 19 - 9 defore Keith won the next two ends to finish 21 - 9.

The pairs was a great game to watch with four inform players producing some great bowling. In the early stages of this game New Abbey had the upper-hand and lead 7 - 2 after 5 ends and 15 - 5 after 9 ends. Les and Neil Shuttleworth were going great but the game changed and the Kirkcudbright pair of Steven Johnstone and John Crawford  went on a run that saw them score 17 shots in the next 7 ends. NewAbbey got a 2 in the final end for a result of New Abbey 17 - Kirkcudbright 22.

The Kirkcudbright triple of Colin Campbell, Wig True and Brian McClune were always in charge of this game. after 5 ends they were 8 - 3 in front and after 10 ends were 18 - 5 up. The New Abbey triple of Oliver Clingan, Robert Bryden and William Mair found it hard going and the game finished Kirkcudbright 21 - 10.

The fours was a close game from start to finish. The Kirkcudbright four of Robert McClune, David Gourlay, Derek Rogerson & George Brown had the better start and lead 7 - 3 after 5 ends but the New Abbey four of William Kirk, Ralph Richardson, John Bigham & Alex Gibson had managed to level the game at 11 - 11 after 10 ends. After 15 ends Kirkcudbright had managed to edge in front at 16 - 14. Hard as New Abbey tried Kirkcudbright held on and finished 18 - 14 winners.

Stewartry President William Neville presented the Top Ten Trophy to Kirkcudbright President Helen Johnstone. There was then a finger buffet provided by the Ladies of New Abbey Bowling Club which was great - Thanks Ladies.

Thanks also to Robert Daz Dalziel for umpiring.

I think the Top Ten Final on Friday night at New Abbey is between New Abbey  and Kirkcudbright. Will someone please let me know the teams.

Dalbeattie 4 (44)  v New Abbey 4(54)

Creetown 6            v Spalding 2

Gatehouse 4(49)  v Auchencairn 4(45)

Kirkcudbright 6   v Castle Douglas 2

The Top Ten Final will be played this year at New Abbey on 26th June.

The first round is on the 12th June.

Dalbeattie     v     New Abbey

Creetown     v     Spalding

Gatehouse    v     Auchencairn

Kirkcudbright     v     Castle Douglas

First named team at home.

Castle Douglas completed the treble last night at Dalbeattie. In the Trophy Shop sponsored Top Ten Final they had a 8- 0 win over New Abbey. The weather was not very good but the players put on good display of bowling. In the Singles Steven Richardson and Keith Shuttleworth had a very close game, with Steven coming from behind to win 21 - 19. The Pairs was another very good game with some great bowling by all four players but Alan and Scott Davies were just to strong for Les and Neil Shuttleworth and won by 19 - 10. The triples was a very close match for the first 10 ends with only 10 shots scored at 5 - 5, but William Brydson, Stewart Gilmour and Allan Green eventually got the better of Oliver Clingan, Robert Bryden and William Mair. In the Fours the New Abbey rink of William Neville, Chris Scales, John Bigham and Alex Gibson were always going to find it difficult against the talent packed rink from Castle Douglas, Alan McLeod, Hugh Robertson, William Green and Stevie Conchar were convincing winners 22 - 10.

Castle Douglas 8   Dalbeattie 0

Auchencairn 3       New Abbey 5

Castle Douglas  6   v   Creetown 2

Kirkcudbright 2     v    Dalbeattie 6

New Abbey  6        v    Gatehouse 2

Auchencairn 6        v    Spalding 2

Well done CASTLE DOUGLAS

Castle Douglas had a good win today in the Scottish Top Ten. They were playing Victoria Park in Glasgow. The only game they lost was the singles where Stevie Conchar lost 21 - 15, Stevie was 15 - 14 up with 14 ends played but then lost a 4 -1 - 2.  Alan Davies and Steven Richardson  had an excelent game in the pairs after 5 ends they were 5 -4 down but in the next 5 ends scored 13 shots to 1 and in the next 5 scored 9 shots to 1 and finnished winners by 28 - 10.  The triple of Tom Maxwell, Scott Davies (who arrived on time for the bus) and William Green  had a very tight game with only 18 shots scored in 15 ends. They led 4 - 1 after 5ends, & 7 - 5 after 10   and the game finnished 9 - 9. The rink of Allan Green, Stewart Gilmour, Hugh Robertson and Chris Coates were level after 5 ends at 5 - 5 but ere 12 - 8 down at 10 ends and were still dehind after 15 ends at 16 - 14 but a 1 and 2 in the last 2 ends saw them win by a shot at 17 - 16.

13th June