Bon Accord travelled to Balgay BC, Dundee to play Dumbartonshire West in the quarter finals of this season’s Andrew Hamilton Trophy.

Before play got underway, Bob Christie of Bowls Scotland presented Bon Accord President Bruce Will and Team Captain Roy Henry with the North Section trophy, which we retained.

The sun was out and the temperature was probably the warmest we have seen in this campaign!

Bon Accord made another quick start winning the first end in all six rinks and going into an early 25-6 lead after three ends played across all six rinks. The Bon Accord front ends, in particular, looked in ominous form.

With 5 ends played across all six rinks Bon Accord led 36-18 and the individual rink scores were:

Kevin Harper 7, Colin McIntyre 2
Alan McKay 5, Allan Bruce 3
Roy Henry 6, Richard Robinson 2
Steve Thomson 4, Kenny Paton 7
Eric Gallan 7, Graeme Sloan 0
Andrew Thomson 7, Andy Kane 4

Into the second quarter, and Bon Accord continued applying pressure and dominating across the green. Roy Henry scored a 6, Eric Gallan a count of 5 and Alan McKay chipped in with a 4 on end 7. With ten ends completed across rinks Bon Accord had extended the lead to 76-38 and it already felt there was no way back for Dumbartonshire West. The rink scores were:

Kevin Harper 14, Colin McIntyre 4
Alan McKay 12, Allan Bruce 5
Roy Henry 18, Richard Robinson 3
Steve Thomson 7, Kenny Paton 11
Eric Gallan 13, Graeme Sloan 5
Andrew Thomson 12, Andy Kane 10

On to quarter three and Bon Accord continued to increase their overall lead and the 100 shots came up during the 13th ends being played across the rinks. By the end of quarter three the lead was approaching 50 shots!

With 15 ends completed across the board, Bon Accord led 110-61 with Bon Accord up in five and down in one. The rinks scores were:

Kevin Harper 18, Colin McIntyre 8
Alan McKay 16, Allan Bruce 8
Roy Henry 26, Richard Robinson 6
Steve Thomson 14, Kenny Paton 17
Eric Gallan 18, Graeme Sloan 7
Andrew Thomson 18, Andy Kane 15

Into the last quarter and Bon Accord were almost home. It was a case of how many they would win by, could we score 150 shots again and could we win all six rinks!!!

Kevin Harper was first to finish and completed their convincing win where they had led throughout, with a 3. Eric Gallan was next to finish and again they had led all the way in another significant win. Andy Thomson pulled away in the last quarter to win by 7 shots. Then Roy Henry completed the highest up win of the match to make it four rink wins out of four.

Steve Thomson’s rink had trailed all the match but got back on level terms in end 16 and when they scored a 2 on the penultimate end to lead by 1 shot it looked like wins in all six rinks was going to occur. However the Dumbartonshire skip drew in with his final bowl to score 2 and win the game. Alan McKay’s rink held on for a one shot victory in their game.

the final score saw a comfortable win for Bon Accord by 142-95.
🏆🏆🏆

A superb team performance with our front ends dominating and setting up the opportunities for our back ends.

The final individual rink scores were

Kevin Harper 23, Colin McIntyre 19
Alan McKay 17, Allan Bruce 16
Roy Henry 31, Richard Robinson 11
Steve Thomson 20, Kenny Paton 21
Eric Gallan 25, Graeme Sloan 9
Andrew Thomson 26, Andy Kane 19

We now move forward to the semi-finals and a repeat of last year’s final against the holders, West Lothian at Newbattle Bowling Club, Newtongrange, next Saturday 13th July at 2pm.

A huge thanks to the support today from reserves, officials and spectators, which as always, benefits the players and is appreciated!

Also thanks to Balgay BC and their members for their hospitality and being an excellent host! You did yourselves proud!

Until next time – c’mon the Bon Accord!!