Opening Day Reality Check, Strong Showings Elsewhere and Tour Spirits High
The new season got underway across multiple fronts this week, with mixed fortunes on the green, a strong showing in competition, and the tour already in full swing.
Thursday Carliol League
At home the B team hosted Brampton, hoping to improve on their first season.
Rink 1 — Chris S, a late replacement, joined Corrine and Mike D and they got off to a flyer, 6 up after just three ends. A 3 & 2 brought S. Reid’s trio back into it — or so they thought. Courtfield took control again, only losing three singles as they ran out 18–8 winners. Comfortable in the end.
Rink 2 — Anne, Dave G & Gill faced Nigel Watson’s triple and dropped a 6 on the first end. After six ends both teams had won 3 ends each, just unfortunately 14–5 down, which tells its own story. It didn’t improve, eventually going down 31–12.
Rink 5 — Jean, Evelyn and President Allan (AKA Dawesy) took the lead early on, but 8 shots without reply over four ends for G. Moscrop’s triple took the game away from them, going down 14–9.
Rink 6 — Julie, John Mc & Steve B faced the evergreen Billy Reid, who put in a strong performance. Courtfield struggled on the heavy green and never really got going, Brampton winning 17–6.
Final score: Courtfield B 2 – 8 Brampton
One rink did the job — the rest didn’t.
A few streets away at Middleton Street, back-to-back champions Courtfield A faced Subscription B.
For the first time in a long time the A team had a reserve and, with a few players missing, still looked strong on paper — on the green it didn’t look that strong.
Rink 2 — Steve G, Dai & Lee, a familiar triple, got off to a good start taking the first two ends and holding a 5 on the third before Brian Steel bowled a superb shot to take the end. Courtfield couldn’t build on it and went 9–8 behind on the 11th, but dug in. Dai was outstanding and they ground out a 13–10 win.
Rink 3 — Tayler (“Romeo”), Ian P & Kev, unbeaten last season, went behind early and looking across the green it didn’t bode too well. A 7 on the 11th end ended Simon Kerridge’s hopes in one go. Courtfield took it 19–11.
Rink 4 — John B, George G & Paul C lost a 6 on the third end and after four ends were 9–1 down. A five on the 11th brought it back to 14–14, a remarkable turnaround, and they led 17–16 going into the last. Colin Reed, holding one with his last bowl and told to take it, had other ideas — wide line, big wick, somehow holds 4. Lost 20–17. One that got away.
Rink 6 — Lawrence, Dave M & Jaffa went 7 down after five ends and 10 shortly after. A small rally got it back to 5, but losing two 3s on the last two ends saw them go down 19–8 — too much damage already done.
Final score: Courtfield A 4 – 6 Subscription B
Beaten on the night.
The only thing messier than the green was Kev’s scorecard — we’ll go with that as the excuse.
Reality is, it wasn’t good enough — changes need to be made.
Roland Starkie Competition
Bank holiday Monday is always Roland Starkie day and Courtfield had the pleasure of 8 teams taking part (5 games each), with Lazonby topping the standings on 30 points, Courtfield (George Gray, Dai Davidson, Mike Dewhurst) close behind on 29, and Silloth qualifying with 28.
A great day and a real success for the club — thanks to the ladies in the kitchen for keeping everyone fed, and to those who got the green set up early, which made a big difference.
Congratulations to George, Dai and Mike for qualifying and representing Courtfield strongly.
Over at Silloth, Courtfield B (Andy, Tayler & Kev) continued the good work, winning their section with 29½ points.
They weren’t alone — Sub C also qualified with 27½ points, rounding off a strong showing and a very good day for Courtfield.
Tour – Strathavon (Day 1)
The tour got underway at Strathavon Bowling Club, where the welcome was first class.
On the green, the combined side came off second best, going down 54–73, but there were positives. Paul Campbell and Pat Dobson picked up best rink on the East green, while Evelyn Coombes took best rink on the West green alongside two from Kirkbride.
At the other end, Alan Dobson, Aileen Walker and Pat Jackson earned the wooden spoon for the next 24 hours — an honour that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
Off the green, things quickly picked up, with plenty of food and drink flowing as the tour got properly underway.
Tour – Doune Castle (Day 2)
After a hearty breakfast, the group headed to a whisky distillery — and that’s where things livened up.
What started as a tasting quickly became a bit more serious, with a few finding their stride far quicker than others. Some looked more prepared for the afternoon session than the bowls.
On to Doune Castle Bowling Club, where the welcome and lunch were excellent — unfortunately, that’s where the hospitality ended.
On the green, the combined side were well beaten 101–76, with the earlier “preparation” perhaps not helping.
The wooden spoon went to Jo Dawson, Dianne Peary and Travis Pape — not enough Courtfield in that trio.
Tour – Stirling (Day 3)
Day 3 took the tour to Stirling, starting with a visit to Stirling Castle before heading to the green.
Whatever was in the breakfast — or maybe the change of scenery — it worked. The combined side produced a much improved performance, winning 4 rinks, drawing 1 and losing just 1, running out convincing 106–73 winners.
Of course, no tour is complete without a twist, and the wooden spoon found its way to the President — one that won’t go unnoticed for the next 24 hours.
A great day all round, with lunch at the club followed by a well-earned evening ahead.
Tour Update – Shotts (Final Day)
Monday brought a strong finish to the tour, with sunshine throughout and one last hearty breakfast before setting off for the final game at Shotts.
There was time for one more stop on the way, with the group taking in the Kelpies before arriving at Shotts Bowling Club, where a warm welcome, homemade soup and sandwiches set things up nicely.
On the green, Courtfield finished in style, running out 101–54 winners, taking 5 of the 6 rinks. A dominant performance to round things off.
The only blemish came from Paul Campbell’s rink, who lost narrowly 15–13 and picked up the wooden spoon for their efforts — followed, as tradition dictates, by a few poetic words from Tony Jackson, which went down very well with the audience… less so with those on the receiving end.
After the game, the group headed to Tinto House for a fantastic high tea before setting off home, bringing the tour to a close.
A great end to what’s been a fantastic tour.
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