TEMPERATURES soared on Sunday as 30 teams from the central Borders and Berwickshire turned out to contest 15 Bowls Scotland District Finals on the Abbotsford BC green.

And the weather wasn’t too bad either.

Spectators turned out in their droves as the crème of the outdoor bowls circuit battled it out for a place in the National Finals in Ayr at the end of July. And the players did not disappoint, with the scorching temperatures making for some fast and furious action on the green.

The opening session set an early pace for the day with dominant performances from Spittal, Chirnside and Eyemouth bowling clubs who defeated Berwick (Ladies Senior Fours), Wilton (Ladies Fours) and Gala Waverley (Mixed Pairs) respectively.

A top-class performance by skip Neil Kellett, ably supported by Dave Johnston and Arthur Cossar, in the Gents Triples saw Gordon BC sail through against the Gala Waverley trio skipped by Dave Miller Jnr.

Hawick BC’s Gents Four won the first of what was to be an excellent treble for the Buccleuch Street outfit on the day. Following a closely fought encounter Bill Anderson’s rink, which included Willie Wells, Robin Bell and Les Clarkson, edged a victory over Dennis Poloczek’s Kelso BC four.

The victory was the first of a double for Anderson and Clarkson who later went on to take the Gents Fours title, alongside Simon Spalding and Bill Anderson, when winning a dramatic last end shoot out over a Gordon BC rink skipped by Alan Redpath.

Session Two saw the Hawick Ladies Triple of Suzanne Spalding, Pat Brady and skip Alison Clarkson oust a Gordon trio, skipped by Denise Kellett which made three wins from three for the resurgent Teris.

Hawick BC president Colin Spalding, husband of Suzanne and father of Simon, told the Border Telegraph: “That was just brilliant, three teams here and three teams won.

“We haven’t been doing too well in the league this season but getting three teams to Ayr is a huge thing for the club and I’m really proud of the players who made that happen today.”

Lauder’s Carol Davidson is delighted to be making her first trip to Ayr this summer following her victory in the Ladies Pairs, with seasoned skip Isabel MaCrae, against the Buccleuch BC duo skipped by Mary Martin.

Former National Singles winner Alistair White, skipping older brother Stuart, from Kelso BC is eying up another title at Ayr having defeated Melrose BC duo Lee Haldane and Ian Crawford in the Gents Pairs.

Double victory came the way of Gala Waverley in the final session of the day when Gary Thorburn and Liam Nicholson won their Gents Singles and Gents Junior Singles finals respectively.

Alan Bennie, Bowls Scotland district secretary, thanked all the players and supporters for turning out to support the event which was the pinnacle of the Borders calendar for many local clubs. He said: “It’s tremendous to see this event being so well supported.

“Today the standard of bowls on offer was exceptional and I wish all the winners the best of luck when they go to Ayr next month.”

Mr Bennie also thanked Abbotsford Bowling Club for hosting the event and for keeping everybody refreshed throughout.

Results

Ladies Senior Fours: Spittal BC (Susan Lee, Isobel Dixon, Linda Renton and Margaret Douglas) beat Berwick BC (Norma Renton, Cath Cochrane, Mary McCann and Dilys Todrick) 19-7.

Ladies Fours: Chirnside BC (Lauren Douglas, Laura Purves, Kay Purves and Sheila Douglas) beat Wilton BC (June Robertson, Lynn Nichol, Betty Gibson and Irene Bennett) 18-10.

Gents Senior Fours: Hawick BC (Willie Wells, Robin Bell, Les Clarkson and Bill Anderson) beat Kelso BC (Dave Soutar, Jack Utterson, Ronnie Paxton and Dennis Poloczek) 12-10.

Mixed Pairs: Eyemouth BC (Liz Dickson and Campbell McNeil) beat Gala Waverley BC (Abi Thorburn and Gary Thorburn) 17-11.

Gents Triples: Gordon BC (Dave Johnston, Arthur Cossar and Neil Kellett) beat Gala Waverley BC (Liam Nicholson, Ralph Nicholson and Dave Miller Jnr) 16-6.

Ladies Senior Singles: Spittal BC (Sandra McLeish) beat Chirnside BC (Jane Carruthers) 21-12.

Gents Senior Singles: Chirnside BC (Gavin Douglas) beat Abbotsford BC (Alan Howlieson) 21-11.

Ladies Pairs: Lauder BC (Carol Davidson and Isabel MaCrae) beat Buccleuch BC (Frances Spalding and Mary Martin) 17-13.

Ladies Triples: Hawick BC (Suzanne Spalding, Pat Brady and Alison Clarkson) beat Gordon BC (Rena Donaldson, Heather Donaldson and Denise Kellett) 15-11.

Gents Pairs: Kelso BC (Stuart White and Alistair White) beat Melrose BC (Lee Haldane and Ian Crawford) 19-12.

Ladies Junior Singles: Chirnside BC (Lauren Douglas) beat Eyemouth BC (Leigh Calder) 21-16.

Gents Fours: Hawick BC (Simon Spalding, Neil McCaskill, Les Clarkson and Bill Anderson) beat Gordon BC (Mark Redpath, Dave Hunter, Billy Donaldson and Alan Redpath) 21-18.

Gents Singles: Gala Waveley BC (Gary Thorburn) beat Chirnside BC (Jamie Mitchell) 21.18.

Ladies Singles: Berwick BC (Margaret Robertson) beat Newtown St Boswells BC (Marie Todd) 21-18.

Gents Junior Singles: Gala Waverley BC (Liam Nicholson beat Chirnside BC (Joe Condy) 21-10.