COWDENBEATH Bowling Club has a new club champion, writes Jack High.

In a gripping final Robert McFarlane, who has won several championships at his previous club, Nethertown, played second time finalist Peter Graham, who lost his last final when he played poorly. It took 28 ends to decide the winner.

The standard of bowling was exceptional with close heads which changed regularly. Peter Graham played some astounding last bowls when Robert was lying twos and threes to cut down or get the first shot. Marker Lindsay Black actually needed a replacement chalk as there were so many touchers!

Robert was leading 15-12 and Peter was lying two when Robert moved the jack six inches for a 2 to go 17-12 ahead. It looked like Robert was odds on favourite to win at this point.

Peter scored a single at the next end and lengthened the jack about two yards which seemed to suit his left handed delivery. As the dampness come down Robert threw a few shorter bowls and Peter got back to 17-17.

Robert was lying two when Peter trailed the jack six inches to be lying two. Robert ran through six inches too far and Peter led 19-17. At the next end Robert scored two shots three inches away with every bowl being within two feet to level at 19-19.

At what proved to be the last end, Robert threw his first bowl 6' short in the hand he had been playing. Peter drew two shots about 12" past the jack and Robert had the best back bowl with one each to come. Robert played over the weight to turn the jack for a game lie or turn a bowl out to put pressure on Peter to draw for the championship. His bowl ran between the two shots to leave Peter Graham the 2019 Cowdenbeath Bowling Club champion. A great achievement.

There is no doubt that Robert McFarlane will be club champion soon. An outstanding advert for Bowls at Cowdenbeath and the third new champion in three years which shows the strength in depth of the club.

Robert got his revenge in the Watson Trophy when he beat Peter in the semi-final.

He played Craig Allan in the final, who beat Lindsay Black in the other semi-final. The game had different stages when each player was on top. Robert went 10-3 up, Craig had a very good spell when he went 14-11 up then Robert upped his game and Craig got the wrong side of a couple of bowls for Robert to run out 21-15 winner and retain the trophy.

In the Ladies' President's Cup, Ina Young played Emma Connor. Ina got off to a flier going 8-0 up then threw the jack in the ditch. Emma shortened the length and scored 16 shots on the trot. Ina came back into it and was 16-14 down. Emma then went on to win 21-15 in another good game where the standard of bowling was good with some close heads

On Friday Cowdenbeath played their re-arranged semi-final of the main top 13 tournament against Dalgety Bay. There were loads of enforced changes to the Cowdenbeath team.

Wullie Wightman 21-6 and Peter Graham 21-9 in the singles lost 21-6 and 21-9 respectively. Jim Watson and Craig Allan won by 9 shots and Davie Duff and Mitch Drysdale lost by 9 shots.

The triples of Ken Salmon, Davie McKay and Alan Moncur had a good win whilst the rink of Willie McLean, Eddie Hastie, Daryll Stewart and Derek Easson lost heavily at Dalgety Bay. Dalgety Bay won 8-4 on points and were a load of shots ahead.

After last week's 28 shot win over Gallatown in the Muir Cup, Kelty were the visitors at Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

Vice-President Brian Simpson welcomed Bobby Strachan to the club and six triples were played. At the end of the day, Kelty scored more shots but is was an agreed draw with bowls and friendship being the winners.

Darren Leitch then ran the Karaoke and many of the Kelty guests stayed on and had a terrific time with some classy singers throughout the night.

All in all another good spell for the club.

On Sunday, the final of the John Hoggan Plate was played between Kelty and Lumphinnans Bowling Clubs and West End in quite good weather and a great game ensued.

Scores were Kelty skips first, single hand J Bewick 9 G Fleming 21; I Finlayson 20 J Russell 21. Pairs P McMillan & R Strachan 25 D Robertson & M Mitchell 17; S Fowler & W Paterson 12 G Handyside & C Low 12 ; Triples D Ednie F Houston J Cairns 16; R Schiavone R Rowan J Thomson 14; Fours W McDonald T Rowley M Jarrett R martin 9; R Philp D Campbell D Middleton D Waite 18. A total 7 points to Lumphinnans and West End and 103 shots to Kelty's 5 points and 91 shots. A good day was had by all and a buffet was supplied by the Broad Street ladies which went down well with the players and supporters.

Frank Houston and Gary Fleming replied for the respective sides thanking the club, ladies who provided the buffet, the bar staff and

the greenkeeper for their day, both teams wishing the future of the competition well.