ON Saturday Lumphinnans Bowling Club President Niall McCall welcomed distinguished guests, members and Rosyth members to the official opening of the new entrance gate to the green and the official opening of the season.

President Niall also welcomed Councillor Darren Watt and Pauline Grandison, of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, to the club for the cutting of the ribbon on the new gate entrance.

Councillor Watt has worked tirelessly within the local community on a number of projects and the bowling club received funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust as part of the five year Lumphinnans Community Action plan.

The Trust is an independent charity dedicated to social and economic regeneration of coalfield communities throughout the UK and also provides advice and support to community and voluntary groups.

President Niall welcomed members and visitors for the official opening of the green on Saturday and Niall's wife Elaine delivered the first jack and bowl of the season.

After 17 ends the rink scores were, Lumphinnans, Wullie McLean 8, Niall McCall 12, Janet Thomson 26, Jean Dickson 14, total 60. Rosyth/Vice President's select Ken Salmon 24, Nairn Jackson 12, Jim Cowan 7, Graham Kellett 7, total 50.

Vice president Nairn Jackson, from Rosyth, thanked everyone for an excellent day and wished them all a good season.

Lumphinnans members should note that club nights will commence this Thursday. On Saturday April 28 a Come and Try Bowls day is being held from noon to 4pm and everyone is welcome.

On Saturday, there was another brilliant friendly at Thornton Bowling Club where Cowdenbeath competed in the first leg of the 'Soap' trophy, so named as we play our 'friends' and 'neighbours' 'home and away', writes Jack High'.

The trophy was donated by the family of Cowdenbeath member Abe McArthur many years ago and was originally played in a game against the Glen Tavern.

There was only one game then the trophy lay on display for many years before it was decided to play for it in this twice yearly fixture. Cowdenbeath were the holders. On the best day's weather this season, president Alan Fleming welcomed president Lindsay Black and his team.

There were four rinks of gents, a ladies rink and a ladies triple.

Local knowledge prevailed with the home team winning both the ladies games quite convincingly and one of the gents rinks.

Davie Leitch, Archie Muir and Lindsay Black all won for Cowdenbeeath but they go into the second leg in July 18 shots down. This is not insurmountable.

The difference in pace in the different directions was too much for some to master. However, there was a great atmosphere with loads of friendly banter.

A big thanks to Alan Fleming and the Thornton crew for making us so welcome.