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Former Rangers striker Colin Stein helped Linlithgow power into the second round of the Mens Triples at the National Joint Championships at Northfield today as they registered a 15-10 win over Easterhouses.
Skipped by World Bowls CEO Gary Smith, the 63 year old, who was the last Scot to score a hat-trick for the national team against Cyprus in 1970 and took up bowls when he retired from football felt they had put in a thoroughly professional performance.
“We got off to a good start and were 10-0 up when they crept back in but we got there in the end," he said.
"It is always good to get a victory under the belt. We have a good experienced team and stand a good chance here this week.
“There is a very high standard of competitive bowls here at Northfield and it is no longer an old man’s game. There are lots of good, young players coming through which is great for bowls as it is a tremendous game.”
Linlithgow’s Ladies Triples, skipped by Gary's wife Lorna, were also successful in their first round encounter with a 17 – 5 victory over Gourock Park.
“We were 3 down after the first two ends as our rink was very tricky. My number two (Paula Kilgallon) played exceptionally well and helped us get ahead and we just kept going," she said.
Lorna is hoping that she and her husband can now urge one another on as the event progresses.
“Gary and I usually like to watch and support each other but we were unable to do that today as we were playing at the same time," she explained.
“However we play again tomorrow at different times and hopefully we can build on the good run we have enjoyed recently, as we were both members of winning Home Internationals teams at Worthing this year and hopefully we will have a good week here too.”
Lorna's Triple will face Polton tomorrow, whilst Gary’s team will meet Houldsworth who claimed a narrow 20-19 win over Caldercraig today.
Elsewhere in the Men’s Triples there will be plenty of sibling rivalry as Rattray take on Crookston.
The Rattray Triple in which David and Scott Strachan are skipped by Scott Pirie, won through to the next round beating Lenzie 16-11 after leading 8-1, only to be brought back to 8 all before pulling away again.
They now face another pair of brothers in the Crookston team, comprising Scott (Skip) and David McWilliams and Iain Stirton.
Bowling legend Willie Wood enjoyed success on his first day of action at the Ayrshire venue as a tactical switch helped West Barns came from behind to beat Invergordon 21-11 in the Mens Fours.
“We brought the mat up which completely changed the length and we started making the shots and came back from 6-1 down," said Wood.
"Everyone played well in the team once we were settled and got the length as it was a tricky rink with some very tricky lies.
“We knew very little about our opponents before the match so we did not know what we were up against and it was the first time their club had qualified in the Fours. However there are no easy matches here this week and we know the Pathhead boys we will meet next and they will be tough to beat.”
In contrast, Paul Foster, Wood's fellow world champion from Troon Portland, was unable to Skip his Four through to the second round after his valiant attempt at the last to take the match to extra ends. Caledonia claimed a notable win 18-16 win to keep their title hopes on track.
Elsewhere, Troon Portland’s Ladies Fours booked their place in the next round where they will face Kinneil after beating Castlepark 18-15 today. Also in the second round are Falkirk side Adrian, Colinton, Bothwell and Kingswood who claimed one of the biggest winning margins with a 23-4 victory over Bellshill & Mossend.
The Mens Senior Fours also got underway today, with Kilbrachan, Raploch, Burnhead and Glengowan among those who made it to the last 16 and will play again on Friday.
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