BORDERS CARPET BOWLING ASSOCIATION
AS THE carpet bowling season draws to a close, the 2011-2012 player of the year again went down to the last event held at Lindean.
During the season, the early leaders were Davie Patterson and John Pigg, who together won a couple of pairs events at Gordon and Westruther, along with Gary McLarty, who won Selkirk rinks along with John Jackson, Callum Donaldson and Kevin Donaldson (skip).
As things started to hot up in January, no-one could pull away in the championship race as different winners were seen at every competition with Jock Bell, Stuart Weir, Jim Mercer, Donald Clark, Neil Kellett and Kevin Mercer all making a mark on the table.
February again saw nobody making huge strides, but a win at Newcastleton Rinks by Jock Bell saw him move into pole position.
With two events to go, the title could have gone to any one of 10 players, however a semi-final defeat at Cappercleugh for Bell gave him a lead of three points going into the final event.
At Lindean, all eyes were on the four players that could catch Bell as the nights action heated up and, with a high standard of bowling to keep everyone entertained, a close final was won by home player Bruce Jeffrey, beating Kevin Mercer in the final, costing him the chance to retain his title.
Final standings: 1, Jock Bell 10 pts; 2, Kevin Mercer 9; 3 equal, John Jackson, David Jackson 8.
Mercer told TheSouthern: “A few years ago to win the player of the year you would need to have a score in the high teens, this year the winner has 10 points. This may look like standards have dropped.
“However, I would say it was the complete opposite with the competition so close and well-matched. Predicting a result this year would have been extremely tough.”
LANGHOLM NEW TOWN
The AGM of the New Town club took place in the pavilion, attended by 17 members.
Jock Corrie takes on his second year as president with Neil Campbell vice-president. Paul Mitchell is secretary and Avril Grieve treasurer.
There will be a slight increase to subscriptions at all levels. The green will be opened on April 29 and there will be the usual tournaments throughout the season.
Friendly matches will be arranged with Eaglesfield, Longtown and the Old Town club.
LANGHOLM OLD TOWN
There was also a good turn out of members at the Old Town AGM.
President Grant Fletcher said the club was financially healthy and also had a steady membership.
He thanked the sponsors of tournaments last season who were Karl Nawrocki, Ronnie Tait and Zander Turnbull.
The retiring president thanked everyone for their support over the past two years and the new committee was then formed, with Colin Turk installed as president.
The opening of the green was arranged for April 29, when all members and any new members are invited for a fun afternoon of bowling, buffet and presentations to last season’s winners.
The first committee meeting was set for Sunday, March 25 to discuss all greenwork and organising the tournaments for the year.