IN the West Fife League there were much better performances from Cowdenbeath bowlers with Robert McFarlane's rink winning by 3 at Abbeyview, writes Jack High.

The other two rinks, skipped by Derek Easson and Andy Johnstone, were both one up and lying a couple or three shots with the Abeyview skips having last bowl. Both skips drew the first shot to salvage two points to Cowdenbeath's four. It could have been six easily.

Cowdenbeath played near neighbours Broad Street in the semi-final of the West Fife Top Ten competition which Cowdenebeath won last year. There were a couple of changes to the team from last year due to holidays. Broad Street had the home draw which proved to be a telling factor.

Steven Hunter stepped up to the plate in the singles and played very well. He was 12-10 down to Alan Ramsay and lying four bowls about 15" away. Alan played through the head and picked the jack up clean to score four.

Steven kept fighting and threw a lot of bowls close but lost 21-17.

The pairs of Mitch Drysdale and Robert McFarlane played against Hugh Scott and Keiran Delaney on Rink six. They were always behind and lost by 10 shots.

The triples of George Beattie, Willie Wightman and Derek Easson did not play to their usual standard and after a couple of rubs early on Jim Crawford's team romped home by 20 shots.

The rink of Billy Allan, Davie McKay, Lindsay Black and Andy Johnstone salvaged a little pride by winning their game 20-14 against Andy Ferguson. Broad Street progress to the final 6-2 on points.

Cowdenbeath will have the chance for revenge next week when they meet in the semi-final of the CISWO top ten. It will be a different team with two games at each venue.

The Open Pairs competition was played at Cowdenbeath on Saturday with 24 units due to compete. Unfortunately one pair had to withdraw after one player was run over by a van and had a broken arm and bruised ribs. Some people will go to some extent not to play!

Thankfully he turned up on Saturday and watched for a while. Hope he recovers soon.

Someone asked why he wasn't playing as it wasn't his bowling arm which was broken.... A bit harsh. The quarter-finalists were A Johnstone v J Craig (Kelty), E McMillan v D Easson, W Wightman v G Wilson (Inverkeithing) and G Tate (Inverkeithing v B Allan.

The semi-finals were J Craig v D Easson and G Wilson v B Allan. John Craig played well to reach the final where he and Paul Clarke beat Billy Allan and his partner, Martin. John and Paul were probably the best pair on the day. Loads of prize money, loads of food and some beverages too. A good day was had by all!

The Babbs teams had mixed results with Lindsay Black's rink winning and Rab Cant's losing to Broad Street. There is still a slim chance of qualification for all three rinks from Cowdenbeath but all need help from other rinks.