After two gripping semi-finals last night, tonight we had the final between Northern BC and previous winners Westhill Bowling Club.

The final was played at Whitehall BC and started in sunny ideal conditions for bowling. Both teams named an unchanged line-up from their semi-final wins. The rink draw produced the following match-ups (Northern names first):

Ross Stewart v David Cobban-Shaw
Scot Finlayson v Callum Reid
Jim Shea v Steven Tennant
Kevin Harper v Scott Runcie and
Mark Smith v Gary Forbes

Over the first few ends, all players scored shots and there was very little to separate the clubs. After 5 ends played on each rink the scores were and the overall match score was all square at 2.5 points each:

Ross 6, David 5
Scot 3, Callum 8
Jim 3, Steven 4
Kevin 7, Scott 4 and
Mark 4, Gary 4

As the ends progressed the overall match score was never greater than 3-2 to either club which showed the closeness of the match and across all rinks the standard of bowls was excellent as all 10 players tried to win their own individual match.

After 10 ends played across all rinks the rink scores were:

Ross 6, David 11
Scot 11, Callum 11
Jim 10, Steven 7
Kevin 9, Scott 9 and
Mark 6, Gary 12

Over the next stage of the match, Gary Forbes soon wrapped up victory v Mark Smith 21-7 to put the first point on the board for Westhill.

On the other rinks, the players continued to battle it out and after 15 ends played Northern were 3-2 up overall, with the individual rink scores being:

Ross 11, David 14
Scot 17, Callum 12
Jim13, Steven 10 and
Kevin 12, Scott 11

Next to finish was Scot Finlayson and Callum Reid with Scot securing Northern’s first point with a 21-16 success after 20 ends played. Elsewhere at the same stage the scores on the remaining ties were and advantage Westhill:

Ross 16, David 19
Jim 18, Steven 11 and
Kevin 13, Scott 20

In the match between Jim & Steven, Steven won the next four ends to be only 2 behind at 16-18 however Jim scored the game winning 3 on the 25th end to put Northern 2-1 ahead in the match overall.

The next tie to finish was Kevin Harper and Scott Runcie. Kevin won their next 3 ends scoring five shots to close the gap to 18-20 and be only one end away from winning, however Scott secured the shot he needed at the next end to win 21-18 – so 2-2 in the match overall and down to the last rink of Ross & David.

On their next end, Ross scored a vital 3 shots to level the scores at 19 all. Onto the next end and David scored a single to lead 20-19 as the light started to fade. Onto the next end and David applied the pressure with two excellent opening bowls which ultimately Ross was unable to remove or draw the shot therefore David secured the match win 21-19 and a 3-2 overall win for the Hill!!

Another fantastic Top 5 match between two evenly matched teams and great excitement and tension for the spectators who had gathered.

Our Sponsor Bill Whyte, an ex-Bon Accord Secretary was on hand to carry out the presentations to both the runners-up and the 2025 Winners – Westhill Bowling Club. Your support for this excellent competition is most welcome and appreciated Bill!

Westhill will represent the Bon Accord in the 2026 National Top 5 next year.

Thanks to our umpires Audrey Campbell and Raymond Davidson.

Many thanks to our excellent hosts Whitehall BC and all your members who helped marking the rink scoreboards, on the bar and for the refreshments afterwards.

Congratulations to Westhill and commiserations to Northern!