The Finals of the Scottish Bowling Championship District 23 were played today at the greens of Gourock Bowling Club and as usual they attracted a large amount of spectators. Play got underway in fine dry weather and there was some excellent displays of bowling at its best on show by the competing players.
                                                                                                           The winning players will now go on to represent the district in the Scottish National Finals at Northfield in Ayr, which is itself a tremendous event that anyone who plays the game knows all about. I wish all those taking part all the best down at Ayr.
S.B.A. Finals Day
The Singles was won by Fort Matilda's Crawford Charles who defeated Dougie Twaddle from Port Glasgow by 21 shots to 14. The early ends were always close before Crawford, a runner up at this same stage last year, went into a commanding lead at 19 v 10 and despite a spirted fight by Dougie, held on to win by 21 shots to 14.
The Junior Singles was another close game with both young players displaying talent a few of us older guys can only dream about.
                        The Match was won by Upper Cowal's
Andy Gilmour who beat one of  Inverclyde's most talented players, Stephen Mc Lellen from Wellington by 21 shots to 15
The Pairs Tie with Grosvenor's Alan (Scud) Bradley and
John (Basher) Freeburn against Derek and Peter Boyle from
Lady Alice created the most excitement for the watching crowd as both Clubs fought out an excellent epic which lasted almost three hours. The game was very close and could have went either way right up until the 16th end when the Grosvenor duo managed to create a 17 shots to 11 lead going into the scheduled last end.
                                Lady Alice gave it their all knowing that they needed a six to take the game into an extra end. With the last bowl of that end and facing defeat, Derek Boyle expertly delivered his final bowl to burn it and so the end had to be retaken.
                  With the majority of the large crowd behind them though, the Grosvenor secured victory with another four shots to win through to Ayr by 21 shots to 11.

Port Glasgow's Triples Team of Sandy Wotherspoon, Freddie Kimmons and Brian Mc Alees were always in command against Roy Stewart, Duncan Mc Lean and Johnstone Smith from Grosvenor and easily ran out winners by 20 shots to 8
Upper Cowal defeated Dunoon Arygle in this all Dunoon game  in the Fours by 18 shots to 14, Skip, Davie Mc Lelland  was joined by Shaun Kemp (lead), Sandy Gilmour and Ian Donaldson at third.
The Senior Fours was won by The Ardgowan's John Lindsay, Robert Currie, Ian Haliday and Campbell Barr defeating Lady Alice by 17 shots to 8
Crawford Charles and Dougie Twaddle
Stephen Mc Lellen and Andrew Gilmour
Alan Bradley and John Freeburn
Freddie Kimmons, Brian Mc Alees and Sandy Wotherspoon
The Upper Cowal Fours
The Senior Fours from Ardgowan
The Singles tie gets underway in front of the Gourock Clubhouse.
Grosvenor's Alan Bradley shows this appreciation as another fine shot by 'Basher' sits next to the jack
Decisions decisions! Peter and Derek look at the head and ponder over what shot to play next as John and Alan await victory.
As usual the Umpires were kept busy
'Road with a view' Specators line the railings over looking the green.
2003 Index