Bowls: Ayrshire collect a hat-trick of titles

Auchinleck celebrated a double success at the SIBA National Championship finals at Fraserburgh, winning the men’s triples and women’s pairs and Ardrossan made it a hat-trick for Ayrshire when they claimed the men’s fours, with East Lothian, Garioch and Coatbridge tasting success in the other three finals.

In the men’s triples, Gary Johnston and his team of Andy Fleming and John Candlish counted four shots on the opening end and were never headed as they saw off the strong West Lothian international trio of Calum Logan, Tommy Mann and Neil Speirs 18-12, while Maureen Shimmons and Claire Johnston stormed home in their match against 2010 champions Julie Sword to win 23-15.

Ardrossan brothers Graeme, Calum and skip Martin Williamson teamed up with Jack Montgomery at lead and turned in a blistering display before Prestwick threw in the towel with the scoreline showing 27-5.

East Lothian’s Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver claimed the pairs title, defeating Stirling 25-18.

In the women’s triples, Bainfield’s Kathryn and Mandy O’Donnell, with Anna Anderson at skip defeated Garioch 15-11, while Coatbridge’s Carol Condy, Joyce Archibald, Mhairi Buchanan and Janette Bray took the fours title 17-8 against Galleon.