Garioch bowler James McDougall reaches semi-final of Scottish Junior Bowls Championship
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James McDougall of Garioch Indoor Bowling Club has reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Bowls Championship, writes Mike Barron.
The Scottish junior gents singles has been dominated by Jason Banks but he is now too old.
This year another Garioch player could take the title, with James McDougall reaching the Scottish semi-final.
He now meets Fraserburgh’s Bradley Buchan, who is a junior and senior internationalist.
He is seen as one of the best quality junior bowlers in Scotland. The other semi-final is between Falkirk and Auchinleck.
Both the semi-finals and final will be played at Inverclyde on Saturday, November 26.
Garioch’s second participant, Liam Beattie had the misfortune to meet Buchan in the third round and he lost 9-21.
McDougall has been around for a number of years and he did not disappoint. He had two hard early matches, beating Abbeyview’s Dylan Robertson 21-10 with outstanding drawing.
Next came David Cargill of Arbroath, a very promising youngster, who was outclassed with fine play. McDougall won the game 21-4, with his drawing outstanding throughout.
Midlothian’s Liam Grantham was expected to be tough opposition and the match did not disappoint. First one player was in front, then the other.
The scores were even at the half way stage, but McDougall's drawing started to see him move ahead and he took the final end 21-18.
Logan Kennedy of East Lothian has national and international experience, but against McDougall he never hit his normal form.
Watching the match a Garioch supporter praised McDougall’s calmness, even when down.
He drew well, took a running bowl to win an end and had some fine backhand shots to book his place in the semi-final.
Garioch can enter two players in the Scottish Junior Playdowns.
Beattie is one for the future. He had a walk over, as Forfar withdrew in round one.
Next came a tough match against Turriff’s Adan Well, who is also a promising youngster, and Beattie drew well throughout. Never behind after end four, he kept the pressure on and cruised to win 21-11.
Buchan started well but Beattie was not overawed by the very good opposition. While under pressure at many ends he still took singles, drawing while shots down. The score was 9-21.
It was a good experience for Beattie in his first Scottish event.
Garioch's gents team in the Scottish League have had their best start in the second tier of the north league for many years, having won all three matches to date.
Fraserburgh are equal also having three wins but less favourable shots for.
The next game against Stonehaven will be tough for Garioch.
The form has been good from the first match which was closer than the 93-80 win.
It was in the last five ends that Garioch moved ahead. Arbroath are always a team to be feared, but from end 10 the match swung in favour of Garioch. They won 93-73.
Buchan’s coloured carpet is always difficult for visitors and the match came down to the final end with Garioch winning 77-76. It could have gone either way.
Next comes Stonehaven who have won but one match, while Fraserburgh have an easier game against Forfar.
Garioch have to wait until Saturday, December 10 to play Fraserburgh, and again in the last match, which could decide the league.
The Garioch senior gents over the years have struggled to do well, despite having a very good pool of players. They have been unlucky this season in a couple of matches.
The opening game had the home side ahead by 15 shots at the half way stage, but Elgin started to find their shots and finally won 59-57. A narrow two shot loss.
Most find a visit to the Mintlaw/Buchan venue difficult, and Garioch were reported as “never getting going” by one spectator. Garioch were losing shots end after end, finally being defeated 45-83.
Garioch seniors are believed to have never lost to Inverness at home. The match was even throughout, but Inverness kept themselves in the game by some fine drawing from end 12 to the finish.
The score could not have been closer with the away team victorious 74-73.
A win finally came against Turriff 70-61 and it was a deserved victory.
Turriff are normally a very sound team but various skips lost shots with drawing easier.
Selectors hope this will give the team confidence against Fraserburgh in their next fixture.
The Garioch senior team are in their worst position with one win from four matches.
