Stewart Gilmour - Russel Cook - Graeme Maxwell - Derek Harper

The winning rink from Castle Douglas

   RESERVES (in alphabetical order):   Stewart Gilmour CD, Stewart McClymont Creetown, Jim Maginnis Creetown, Tom Maxwell CD and Ralph Richardson New Abbey.

Glasgow East v Stewartry - Mount Florida 29/05/10

Well this report will be a bit briefer than previous since I was called into action on Saturday due to a couple of players being stuck in the serious road accident near Hamilton. But apart from a few times when big scoreboard was way out this was less stressful than previous weeks.

Rink 1 this week was Stevie Richardson and after their near miss the previous week, Reech got a great result which was down to a real rink performance right through. Mickey T at lead has had his best Hamilton Trophy for years and set up play for Scott and Reech to build their heads. Again the team spirit from this 4 was excellent good win.

Rink 2 Keith just came in as players were going out for trial end and the manager was delighted to see him arrive. Keith was also going to have the additional burden of being saddled with yours truly and assistant John McGarry. Not for me to comment on how we played but the scoreline don’t lie. Special mention to second Tom Rogers who came into his own especially when lead got caught up in trying to keep momentum going in other rinks. Keith settled in after a fairly slow start and led rink to a fine victory.

Rink 3 raised a few eyebrows in selection terms but the experience of Big Conc at lead and last years strong back end of Marty and Matteo paid off big style. Hoopy knows he can play better and he will but he did contribute at a crucial time in game. Young back end again proved their worth and taking advice from the experienced Conc meant they ground out a good result.

Rink 4 was the only losing rink and I’m sure they will all have been gutted by this, however they will come back and I hope there were some lessons learned. Having said that Colin Simpson and Charters at the back end played really well according to my assistants who paid close attention to this game. With some slight tinkering and advice given I’m certain Flash will be smiling soon. All credit to him though he never stopped encouraging every other rink and whooping big bowls, great team spirit was echoed when he himself was trying to get back into game and others were voicing their support towards him.

Rink 5 Sharkey after last weeks defeat had a new look front end and I’m sure the Hammer and Eric will say that made all the difference but again a good solid rink performance. With Natch giving Sharkey the confidence to play shots and setting up opportunities for him. From limited observation there can be no doubt that the front end did play well so keep it going lads.

Rink 6 If you can use the term evergreen when describing a Brown then this surely fits, this very strong Kirkcudbright rink produced just exactly what was expected a clear and decisive win. The team spirit which is being developed really shows its essence in this rink, Brian McClune who undoubtedly could skip in any of our rinks is happy to sub to George and help in the development of Stevie J and young Robert. Great performance lads, keep it up.

Finally I have mentioned spirit more than once and I have to say what we may lack in ability is more than being made up for in spirit. John McGarry wearing borrowed shoes and waterproof trousers and playing with Concs other 2 bowls was an example to all, cheers big man. Also big mention to Stewart McClymont who has declared himself unavailable to allow Alan to play next week, great gesture Stewart and it is really appreciated. As I have said numerous times Saturday is a huge game lets get focussed lads and get another win. Team will be put up on Wednesday once I have considered all options.

GALLOWAY CUP 2010

The draw for this season’s game, to be held on KIRKCOWAN and NEWTON STEWART greens on Wednesday 2^nd June is as follows.

KIRKCOWAN GREEN

NEWTON STEWART  15       v   15    SPALDING

                   KIRKCOLM                  21       v   15   AUCHENCAIRN

                    WEST END                  24       v     4   GATEHOUSE (2)

                   WIGTOWN                    17      v   14   CASTLE DOUGLAS (1)

                   GARLIESTON                 8      v   22   KIRKCUDBRIGHT (2)

                   ISLE of WHITHORN    10      v   20   NEW ABBEY (1)

NEWTON STEWART GREEN

                   SANDHEAD                  15   v     7  GATEHOUSE (1)      

                   CASTLE KENNEDY      6   v   23  CASTLE DOUGLAS (2)    

                   GLENLUCE                    6    v  13   CREETOWN    

                   PORTWILLIAM            13   v  11   KIRKCUDBRIGHT (1)

                   STRANRAER                  8   v  20    NEW ABBEY (2)

                   KIRKCOWAN                9   v   19    DALBEATTIE  

                  Wigtownshire     152                    Stewartry     183      

 Stewartry won the Galloway Cup by 31 shots and the Cup was presented to the Castle Douglas rink of Russel Cook, Derek Harper, Stewart Gilmour & Graeme Maxwell who were the higest up rink on the winning side.

Stewartry 130 Glasgow East 91

Presentation of the KBA Cup to Castle Douglas President Hugh Robertson by Stewartry President Graeme Maxwell & Auchencairn President William Malcolmson.

Castle Douglas v Auchencairn

Rink 1 S Davies 14 S McCubbin 10

Rink 2 W Green 13 J McGarrie 24

Rink 3 A Davies 11 B Little 14

Rink 4 S Conchar 29 L Little 4

Castle Douglas 67 Auchencairn 52

Cup was presented by Stewartry President  Graeme Maxwell

Stewartry Team v Glasgow – 29/05/10

RESERVES (in alphabetical order):  Chris Coates CD, Jim Maginnis Creetown, Tom Maxwell CD and Ralph Richardson New

STEWARTRY V RENFREWSHIRE – KIRKCUDBRIGHT 22/05/10

After the high drama of last week the old saying of lightning never striking twice was blown right out the window. Renfrewshire came into the game with some problems of team morale and selection, but the directors must have got a real lift from their team’s performance.

Rink 1 Keith was on the show rink this week and was looking for an improvement on the first 2 weeks and certainly got it from his rink, not least from a few “Brucie Bonuses”. Although at times the front end was being pressurised Bruce and Keith played some big shots and ran out winners, but another great last bowl from Keith on the final end to lose only a one turned out crucial again!   

Rink 2 Alister Herries moved across to cover for the absent Martin McClymont, and his partnership with Alan McClymont was really good. Alan played some great drawing shots to change heads and “Flash” was back to his one bowl destruction of bad heads and his bowl on the 3^rd last end to trail into ditch knocked stuffing out of his opponents. Front end were up against it and will learn about jack control for future games.

Rink 3 George Brown continued his excellent form in this year’s series and was backed up by his young rink, with no real weaknesses obvious from the spectators’ point of view. George continues to pull out some cracking draws with only a few inches to work with and again thoroughly deserved his win and probably was our best player on the green.

Rink 4 saw Sharkey suffer the highs and lows within a week, when his rink struggled against an in form Jackie McNeil. Although Sharkey played some great conversion and draws, he was always up against it and did well to keep score as close as it was. Slight controversy at end when Sharkey had one bowl to come and team manager approached head to discuss overall situation. One or two players from other rinks started to get a bit boisterous and a few verbals were exchanged before umpire intervened. But it set last end of rink 5 up as game winner and got everyone right behind the Stewartry boys.

Rink 5 was a changed rink with Brian McClune coming in to skip and Stewart Gilmour coming in to cover for the absent Matteo and Gav. This again proved a frustrating game with the Stewartry lads setting up some good heads only for the skip to alter them with alarming regularity. This game though proved to have the defining last end and a great back toucher from Hoopy and a side bowl within 8 inches from Conc meant Stewartry were lying 2 with only skips to play. Big Brian played a blocker, opposing skip cleared it out on forehand, Brian put blocker back in, skip changed hand and tried to play a running bowl. Fortunately, this was an error in judgement and bowl was last seen heading up Kirkcudbright High Street.

Rink 6 once again this rink was changed to cover for absent players and Scott McCubbin came back in to sub Reech. Michael Turnbull again put in another sound performance as lead; with Stewart McClymont trying to back him up this was a good performance. Reech can consider himself unlucky that this was against another old stalwart of Renfrew in wee Michael. He consistently was up and changing good heads into losing situations, but Reech and Scott kept plugging away and kept game tight to ensure game overall would go to the wire.

The last end drama was not quite as intense as last week but nevertheless it still had a few elements of high drama. After the confrontation at the other end as Sharkey finished, team manager went right round the green to watch the last 4 bowls of the match. Despite one or two opposition players trying to block his access he got through (in a gentlemanly fashion of course!!). Having sprinted across the green last week it was a much more subdued, but still excited celebration, to congratulate his players. Once again I cannot thank my players enough, great spirit and desire to win after having led 23 – 1 early on to falling behind 110 – 99 with a few ends to go, superb display. Also big thanks to the girls from Stewartry Care who came to get some pictures with the players and stayed for the whole day, I think some of them are even considering taking up the game now, so thanks again ladies.

Castle Douglas beat New Abbey

Auchencairn beat Dalbeattie (second time in a week!!)

Final is at Castle Douglas on Friday night (28th May).

Stewartry 118 Renfrewshire  South 116