Gourock Park's SBA adventure came to an abrupt end at the District Finals at Ardgowan BC as all three teams finished as runners-up rather than winners. We were represented in three finals, pairs, triples and fours and as far as anyone knows, this was the highest amount of finalists we have ever had in the district finals and although no further success was acheived, the club can be proud of its worthy attempt to reach the National Finals.
The report and scores is listed below and this was kindly supplied by Bill Knox(SBA District Secretary) as I was unable to do my usual reporting job due to my involvement in the fours final.
My thanks to Norma Ramsay for capturing the photographs
"We are the Park"
Gourock Park's Finalists
George Twaddle, Alex Mc Ilravey, Joda Reid, Jim Crawford, Ramsay Crawford, John Kane, Terry Duffy & Gary Bradley. Missing from picture is Rodger Lynn
Fours Champions
Port Glasgow
Ronnie Mc Connachie, Freddie Kimmins, Peter Johnstone & Tommy Kangley
Senior Fours
Victoria
Willie Wilson, Sam Wilson, Bill Boffey & Sandy Reddy
Junior Singles Champion
Bogleha
Colin Bence
Pairs Champions
Dunoon Argyll
William Kelly & Neil Arden
Singles Champion
Port Glasgow
Sandy Wotherspoon
Triples Champions
Lady Alice
Stuart Grainger, Sam Hunter & William Phillips
Results
Junior Singles
Fraser Lauffer (Innellan) 10 v 21 Craig Bence ( Bogleha)
Singles
Sandy Wotherspoon (Port Glasgow 21 v 12 Nicol House (Fort Matilda)
Pairs
Dunoon Argyll 19 v 9 Gourock Park (Joda Reid & Rodger Lynn)
Triples
Lady Alice 16 v 9 Gourock Park (Alex Mc Ilravey, Terry Duffy & Jim Crawford)
Fours
Port Glasgow 19 v 7 Gourock Park ( George Twaddle, Gary Bradley, Ramsay Crawford & John Kane)
Senior Fours
Grosvenor 18 v 10 Victoria
The Junior Singles was a quick game only lasting 14 ends. Fraser Lauffer from the Innellan Club started well with a 4 and 1 but lost a 4 and 3 threes in the next 4 ends to be 13 5 down. Craig Bence the Bogleha' player in his last year as a junior continued to dominate and mastered the draw to win 21 10
The singles was a far longer game lasting almost almost 2 hours.
Fort Matilda's Nicol House also started well being 4 up after 3 ends, but Sandy Wotherspoon the Port Glasgow player fought back with 3 two's and was always in the lead throughout the rest of the match. Both players fought well in a very friendly fashion and the match was a great advert for the sport.
Strangely the pairs started in the same way as the singles with the losers taking an early lead. The Gourock Park pair were 5 1 up after 4 ends but then lost the place The Dunoon Argyll pair won the next 5 ends to be 12 5 up. The result was never in doubt with the Cowal pair playing well to end 19 9 up.
The triples was a bit different and thoughout the match was a close affair, the score after 13 ends with 2 ends left being Gourock Park 9 Lady Alice 8.
Disaster struck the Park three at the next end with a large spread head, the Greenock team scored a 7 to wipe out any chance for the Gourock boys, another single at the last end sealed their fate leaving the score 16 9 for Lady Alice.
The fours was due to last for 17 ends but after 15 ends the Gourock Park team called it quits being so far behind the Port Glasgow rink. The Port winning 19 v 7.
The senior fours was a very noisy affair with both teams having a large support.
Grosvenor started well being 11 2 up after 6 ends. Victoria fought back but could not catch the Grosvenors experienced four who won 18 10.
Grosvenor must now try to emulate last years District 23 Seniors Port Glasgow who won the Scottish title.
The District Finals were held at an excellent venue with the Ardgowan Club providing every facility including warm dry weather.
