Three club run-in for Scottish North Bowls Division title
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After a superb first half of the 2022 season in the Scottish North Bowls Division, with six games undefeated, Garioch Gents have now lost their last two matches, writes Mike Barron.
It now means Fraserburgh, having won at the weekend, have 12 points +169 shots, Buchan 12 points +131 with Garioch 12 points +131. There are only two matches left.
Losing to Buchan 79-68, Garioch have dropped from being clear leaders to second equal. Garioch, on a tricky fast carpet, trailed from the first end and could never quite get to Buchan.
Steve Buchanan, who played in the match, said: “We were always behind and were 25 shots down at 11th against Buchan.
"They are a strong side having had four wins on the trot. We only beat them at home by one shot 77-76.”
The match finished Clark (Buchan) 20 Brian Reid (Garioch) 20; Marshall 26 Lee Collins 14; Paterson 16 Alan Rough 18; Dinnes 17 Jason Banks 14.
Brian Reid finished 20-20 and at one end took seven shots. This galvanised the team, but it was short lived, as Jason Banks quickly lost four shots. Garioch could not come back and lost 79-66.
Fraserburgh are next away to Forfar and then tackle Garioch. This could be the decider.
Buchan are away to Arbroath and then have Forfar at home.
After two defeats Garioch have Stonehaven and then this key match away to Fraserburgh. It could come down to shots difference.
Garioch Ladies bowls team were involved in the Scottish Fours competition, but they failed to get past Dundee 14-23.
Sheila Reidford, Joan Western, Linda Harper and Carla Banks were the four representing the club.
The match was very close at the seventh end with Dundee just in front, but Garioch were ahead 11-8 four ends later.
They were still up at the 12th end 12-8, but from then Dundee were playing the better drawing bowls.
Carla Banks had to rescue the team to keep Dundee from adding at every end. Regrettably Garioch scored but two more shots, while Dundee scored 15. The final score was Garioch 14 Dundee 23.
The Garioch club knockout competitions are well under way. The Seniors Club final will be between Ian Ingram and Geoff Simpson. The winners will be in the Scottish 2023/24 competition.
Norman Burnett, in the semi-final, had a fine 13 ends and was up at that point. Then his four lost a six, a four and another four shots. Geoff Simpson could not believe his luck. He was through to the final winning 20-7.
It was a knockout for both Gents and Ladies in Scottish Knockout Fours. The gents team lost to Stonehaven 17-20 in the preliminary round while the Ladies lost to Dundee 14-23, when they were up 11-8 at the 10th end.
