BORDERS Ladies Bowling Association (BLBA) held its annual Championships last weekend with 16 clubs from all corners of the central Borders taking part, writes Fiona Scott.

Saturday morning brought bright sunshine and soaring temperatures for the opening rounds, which were played out over the Ettrick Forest and Selkirk BC greens, while Finals Day on Sunday saw Gala BC, home club of BLBA President Gill Butterfield, play host in more overcast conditions.

The drop in temperature did not detract from the sizzling action on the green however as finals in Fours, Triples, Pairs and Singles were hotly contested.

Representing the host club Sheena White took the Singles title following an epic battle with Newtown’s Anne Blacklock.

The seasoned pair had both found form for this year’s Championship and during the early stages of Sunday’s final neither gave much ground. Spurred on by her home supporters however White managed to pull away to take the title with an impressive victory.

“I never expected to make it to the final so to win it is just amazing,” she told us.

“There are so many good young bowlers coming through now so I’m glad I won this year as I don’t think I will do it again.”

In the Pairs Sandra Thomson and Marie Todd from Newtown BC collected the silverware after putting Hawick BC duo Suzanne Spalding and Alison Clarkson to the sword.

While skip Todd has won the Pairs twice before, along with six Singles victories, Thomson experienced her first victory as part of a double act and said: “It’s great for the club.

“We’re quite small compared to a lot of the clubs taking part but we still compete well and have enjoyed many successes at the Borders tournament over the years.

“It was quite tricky out there today so I’m just glad we managed to find the shots when we needed to get the win.”

Triples victory went the way of Lauder BC with May Ogilvie and Anne Rooney collecting their first Borders trophy under the expert guidance of skip Isobel MacRae.

The trio got off to a flying start but were pegged back in the later stages by Wilton BC’s June Robertson, Joan Kyle and Irene Bennett. So much so that a measure was required in the last end to determine the winner.

It was a battle of the Teri’s in the Fours Final with Hawick’s Zenda Borthwick, Patsy Wells, Doris Willison and Irene Wilson (skip) gaining the upper hand over their Wilton counterparts Sheena Graham, Lynn Nichol, Diane Smart and Sonya Roddan (skip).

President Butterfield made the presentations to the winners and runners up and praised all in attendance for ensuring the weekend ran smoothly.

She added: “The standard of bowling at this year’s tournament has been outstanding, many congratulations to the winners and a huge thank you to our umpires, markers, tea ladies and everyone else who helped out over the weekend.”

A raffle was held over the two days and raised £122 four Mrs Butterfield’s chosen charity, The Lavender Touch.

Finals results

Fours: Hawick BC (Zenda Borthwick, Patsy Wells, Doris Willison & Irene Wilson) beat Wilton BC (Sheena Graham, Lynn Nichol, Diane Smart & Sonya Roddan) 19-11.

Triples: Lauder BC (May Ogilvie, Anne Rooney & Isobel MacRae) beat Wilton BC (June Robertson, Joan Kyle & Irene Bennett) 16-15.

Pairs: Newtown BC (Sandra Thomson & Marie Todd) beat Hawick BC (Suzanne Spalding & Alison Clarkson).

Singles: Gala BC (Sheena White) beat Newtown BC (Anne Blacklock) 21-14.