COWDENBEATH Bowling Club's triples teams were within an ace of historic performances at Ayr at the weekend, writes Jack High.

It has been another great couple of weeks with Cowdenbeath progressing to the semi-final of the West Fife County Top Ten beating Headwell at home 6-2 and CISWO Top Ten with another 6-2 win.

Billy Allan lost the singles at Strathmiglo, Derek Easson's rink won, Andy Johnstone's pair won at Cowdenbeath as did Eric McMillan's triple. The friendly did not go ahead against Broad Street due to inclement weather.

Last week was the Scottish finals at Ayr where Cowdenbeath were very well represented.

On Monday George Easson, Davie McKay, Lindsay Black and Derek Easson lost in their opening game 14-11. Only Derek played to his usual high standard, which was disappointing as the rink had played really well to win the district. They lost 11-14 but had a couple of chances towards the end of the game against Strathclyde but did not convert them.

On Thursday, the ladies triples of Mary McKay, Emma Connor and Esther Beattie and men's triples of Peter Graham, Steven Hunter and Robert McFarlane began their fight for the titles.

Both played well and the ladies won their first game against Tanfield but were 2-8 down after 4 ends. They got back to 8-9 after 10 ends then scored two singles. They picked up their game and won 14-9. A bit nervy for the spectators.

The men were playing Wigtown and went 8-1 up then lost a three, then went 11-4 up after ten ends and were looking good.

They played to match bowls and won 14-10. A good solid start.

In the next round on Friday morning they played Lenzie. Players well known to the Cowdenbeath club as this is one of our most popular friendly games of the season.

Lenzie went 2-8 up after 5, 5-8 after 7, 7-12 then Cowdenbeath scored a four to make it 11-12 then levelled after 12 ends at 12-12 with some great bowls from both sides.

Peels playing the last, Lenzie tried to burn the end but missed three times to let Cowdenbeath progress.

The ladies got off to a slow start against Montrose and were 1-4 down after 2 ends then 5-9 after 5. They picked up their game again and threw a lot of bowls in the area to go 13-11 up after 11 then went on to win fairly comfortably 17-12.

On the Friday afternoon they played woodlands of Paisley and kept it very tight. They got off to a flier and were 8-0 up after two ends on a one sided rink with a huge swing on the ditch side which was nearly unplayable at the longer length. Woodlands then went 8-9 ahead and were enjoying their length. Cowdenbeath managed to get it to three down with two ends to play. They picked up a three to level it at the last.

All three played well and were lying a couple of shots with the 'good' hand well blocked. The skip should have been playing through the head to change things but elected to draw on the huge swinging hand and missed for the men to progress to the semi final.

The ladies' quarter final was a good game with all contributing to a 21-15 win and both into semi-finals on the Saturday morning.

Billy Allan played his disability Scotland men's singles first round quarter final in the morning and played really well to win 21-3. In the afternoon he played well at times and struggled at times. He led 11-2 then his opponent crossed him when he shortened the jack, Billy picked his game up to be leading 20-18 then played a poor end to lose a three and the game. He was very disappointed.

Barbara McMillan played her semi final against the player who beat her in the final last year and beat her to progress to the final on the Saturday.

On the Saturday morning, the men played their best game with loads of close bowls and the shot changing hands fairly regularly - as you would expect in the semi final of the Scottish.

Updates were as follows; Ladies triples 1-1 after 2. Gents 0-4 down after 2. ladies 5-2 after 6. Gents 8-4 after 5. Ladies 8-2 after 8 then 8-10 after 10 as they lost a bad 5. Gents 9-6 up after 8, ladies 10-10 after 11, 12-12 after 13, gents 11-6 after 10, ladies one up playing the last end and scored a two to go into the final!!! Gents13-6 up with 3 to play, 13-9 with 2 to play and a couple against Robert, he drew the first shot to be 14-9 up playing the last end.

Haddington burnt that end - twice then missed for Cowdenbeath to go through to the final later that afternoon. Great tension and excitement.

In the final on Saturday Afternoon, the ladies took on Ayr Craigie. The men played Parkside.

Scores went as follows; ladies 2-0 after 2, gents 2-0 after 2. Ladies 3-1 after 4, 5-3 after 6, Gents 3-3 after 4, gents 7-5 up after 8ladies 10-9 up after 10 and looking good. Ladies 1 down after 12 and gents 1 up after 9. Ladies were 1 down playing the last and played a good end with Ayr lying one shot a couple of inches away at the side.

Emma ran past a foot and just missed the jack, Esther played up to it and missed, her second missed by an inch and her last was slightly tight which meant Ayr Craigie won the title. Mary and Esther just missed out in emulating their success of two years ago.

The same three lost in the quarter final last year to the eventual winners. Not a bad record.

The men were 7-12 down after 12 and lost a two going from 7-3 to 14-7 then six down playing the last but failed to get there losing 15-8. Barbara lost her final 21-14 having really struggled to find a line on a tricky rink.

All the Cowdenbeath finalists were very disappointed but on reflection they will be very proud of their achievements. Everyone at the club is VERY proud of them and their silver medals. Second best in SCOTLAND....? Who wouldn't be proud of that?

Lochgelly's rink did not catch the rink and were well beaten, which was very disappointing for them and their supporters.

Cowdenbeath also had a skips' invitation on Saturday as 'normal' business has to go on.

Visitors from South Queensferry, Crossford Public, Thornton and ower the brig Cowdenbeath enjoyed a good day, plenty libation and a good meal.