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Sunday 31st August 2003
The Sport of Bowling in Inverclyde can look forward to a bright future, if this event was an indication of the up and coming talent that we have in the district. The standard of bowling on display by some of these youngsters was amazing to watch and some of them would give the established old guard a run for their money.
                                                                                          Around 40 Kids aged from around 8 years old up to 16, displayed their skills, eagerness and determination to succeed in this first ever Gourock Park Youth Tournament which is kindly sponsored by Aulds the Bakers.
                             The day got underway at 10am when the players all competed in the round-robin section, playing for 2 points a win, with the winner of each group then progressing onto the next stage along with the highest up runner-up of all the groups.
                                                                                   This competition was a joy to watch and even though some of the Kids had just started to learn  to play were up against some of the
'experienced' 14- 15 age group, they still gave it their all and were not put off by hefty defeats. Mums and Dads watched enthralled as their pride and joy fought to try and gain entry into the next round ( Myself included! as even though I was marking, i made sure i was marking close to the rink where my Son, Glenn was playing)

At the close of the Round-Robin Stages the following players all qualified to play in the Quarter-Finals---Nicole Kearns (Gourock Park), Gavin Piggot (Dunoon Argyle), Stewart Mc Gowan (Lady Alice), Gavin Miller (Rankin Park), Gary Mc Hugh (Ardbeg), Brian Keenan (Birkmyre), Ryan Mc Ghee (Grosvenor) and Graham Mc Eachnie (Grosvenor).

Quarter-Finals

Nicole Kearns

1

8

Brian Keenan

Gavin Miller

0

12

Ryan Mc Ghee

Graham Mc Eachnie

8

3

Gavin Piggot

Gary Mc Hugh

11

2

Stewart Mc Gowan

 

Following the above Quarter-Final Ties, the more experienced players were beginning to show off all their skills and it was difficult to predict a winner. Both Semi-Final games were very close, but it was the Grosvenor Pair of Ryan Mc Ghee and Graham Mc Eachnie had just edged out their opponents over 9 ends to both win by just one shot.

Semi-Finals

Brian Keenan

7

8

Graham Mc Eachnie

Ryan Mc Ghee

8

7

Gary Mc Hugh

 

The Final between the two Grosvenor Boys was was a delight to watch as both Ryan and Graham put on a fine display, which few of us more experienced bowlers, would have struggled to keep up with.
Graham  took and early lead, scoring three in the first end, Ryan fought back with two singles and a double to take the advantage at 4 shots to 3 after four ends played.
                                             Graham made the game level at four each after the fifth, before falling behind again in the sixth end, when Ryan scored a double to lead by  6 shots to 4 shots.
                                                                          With both players playing fantastic bowling, the lead changed ends twice again to make the score 9 shots to 8 in Ryan's favour going into the scheduled last end.
     The 11th end was a real nail biter, as both players desperately tried to put the game beyond the reach of their opponent. Ryan only need one shot to claim victory and Graham was under pressure to make sure he gained at least a solitary shot to take the game into a deciding 'extra end'.  It was close all the way and  the end was decided on a crucial measure, which went young Graham's way when umpire Dougie Brown declared one shot in his favour.
                                                                            Nobody was leaving as this intriging Final was coming to a close and it was Graham Mc Eachnie that claimed victory with the deciding shot in the extra end to take the title of Gourock Park Under 16's Champion 2003.
The Prizes were presented by Aulds Retail Operations Manager,
Bruce Drummond assisted by Gourock Park President, Hamish Ramsay and Dougie Brown.
Quarter-Finalist Gavin Miller
Quarter-Finalist Gavin Piggot
Quarter-Finalist Nicole Kearns
Gourock Park Junior Cup
Champion 2003
Graham Mc Eachnie
Its close! The Crucial measure taking place at the end of the scheduled 11 end Final
Runner-up Ryan Mc Ghee
The Spectators watch as the Semi-Finals get underway
Height is no barrier
A Vital measure during the Semi -Final
Semi-Finalist Gary Mc Hugh
Semi-Finalist Brian Keenan
My Son, Glenn displays his skill at delivering the Bowl
"Umpire"!!!!!! Dougie Brown was kept busy all day
2003 Index