After 9 consecutive Saturday’s, the Andrew Hamilton Trophy reached its conclusion yesterday when Bon Accord faced up to West Lothian at the National Bowling Centre at Ayr.

Bon Accord were in there first ever final, hadn’t qualified for the knockout stages for 28 years however had won all 9 matches played this season. West Lothian last won the trophy in 2009 but had finished runner-up in their section with two defeats.

West Lothian started the better of the two winning five of the first six ends to go 12-3 ahead.

After 17 ends, we still trailed 9-24, but started to claw back getting to 20-27 after 23 ends.

Just after the first quarter (33 ends), Bon Accord still trailed 28-41 and the individual rink scores were:

Andy Thomson 2-7 v Grant Logan
Roy Henry 2-6 v Andrew Dunnett
Ross Stewart 7-11 v Ray Logan
Kev Harper 6-7 v Steven Fleming
Alan McKay 6-8 v Gary Smith
Kev Pirie 5-3 v Neil Speirs

Just after the halfway point, Bon Accord hadn’t been able to close the gap and were 60-75 behind. The individual rink scores were:

Andy Thomson 9-12 down after 11
Roy Henry 5-13 down after 11
Ross Stewart 9-16 down after 12
Kev Harper 15-12 up after 12
Alan McKay 16-10 up after 13
Kev Pirie 6-12 down after 10

Into the third quarter and Bon Accord continued to battle to close the gap, but West Lothian kept us at bay and they reached the 100 mark first with 35 ends to play (82-100).

So into the last quarter and a sensational performance was required from Bon Accord if they were going to win the trophy for the first time.

Over the next eight ends, Bon Accord reduced the gap to single figures 96-103, but West Lothian responded by scoring nine unanswered shots to lead 96-112 with only 23 ends remaining.

Bon Accord came back again to trail by only 8 shots (114-122) with 8 ends to go. Could we snatch victory after trailing all the match?

Unfortunately not as West Lothian won the next four ends to secure victory in the end by 117-134.

The final individual rink scores were:

Andy Thomson 18-18 v Grant Logan
Roy Henry 13-22 v Andrew Dunnett
Ross Stewart 17-33 v Ray Logan
Kev Harper 22-21 v Steven Fleming
Alan McKay 29-20 v Gary Smith
Kev Pirie 18-20 v Neil Speirs

A great effort by the Bon Accord players and thanks to all the support that was provided to the team not only at the final but also throughout the whole season which was greatly appreciated!

Congratulations to West Lothian on their success.

Thanks to Bowls Scotland and the National Bowling Centre for their hospitality on Saturday.

This season has been magnificent and the squad’s achievements have been awesome!

We finished runner-up in the Andrew Hamilton Trophy
We are the Andrew Hamilton Trophy North Section winners
We played 10 matches, won 9 and lost only 1

The effort and commitment of everyone involved has been fantastic. Including the trials and Aitchanar Trophy, this journey has lasted 13 weeks!

Thanks again to all involved and the support!

Until next season where we will aim to repeat and better this season.

C’mon the Bon Accord!