All roads led to Ayr this week for the Scottish Bowls playdowns
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The north-east contests, District 3, have been taking place through June and July.
Lucy Willox of Harlaw B C Ladies must wish she was in another District writes Mike Barron as yet again she came up against World bowls representative, Carla Banks of Inverurie, in the final of both bowls Singles and Junior event.
She was narrowly beaten in Singles 19-21 and in Junior 11-21.
The teenager is one of the most skillfull players in north-east Scotland.
Lucy is now heading to Ayr in the Mixed Pairs, having played lead to her Harlaw partner, Doug Fraser and won the north-east title well.
Other Ladies Clubs at Ayr include Elaine Brown and Joan Western of Oldmeldrum in Pairs; Newhills in the Triples and Fours; Balgownie in the over 55s Singles having beaten Kate Stewart of Kemnay 21-20.
Senior 4s Harlaw (Carol Johnston, Liz Groat, Cherl North, and Linda Harper) beat Inverurie 17-12 in semi-final, but lost 2-19 against Newhills in the final, a match they wish to forget!
There were some surprises in the Gents National bowls playdowns to qualify for finals at Ayr this week.
Liam Willox (Harlaw), brother of Lucy in the Mixed Pairs, had the most exciting of matches against the Scottish under 25s player, Zac Morrison, from Newhills and won 21-20.
The surprise of the finals was the defeat of Ronnie McDougall of Westhill by Derek Watson of Newhills.
Ronnie never got going, scoring solely at one end, and lost heavily 1-21.
The Pair at Ayr is Ellon’s Willie Christie and Gary Simpson.
The surprise was the defeat of 2022 Triples Northeast Champions Rothienorman to Westhill 9-18
Rothie’s Four also miss out to Ellon who qualify for playdowns losing 3- 22.
All are up against the best in Scotland but Sunday of this week will see if any are winners.
