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WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND THE CURTAINS?

Last month I promised my regular reader a report on the progress of our Ladies and Seniors sections in their respective external competitions. It’s still early days for the Ladies in the Water of Leith league where they now play Triples instead of Rinks. However, the good news is that our team is still in the Top 10 Competition and our Ladies Pair are through to the Semi Finals of the Scottish Bowls District competition. As usual I’m not naming the players for fear of ‘jinxing’ them at this crucial stage.

Our Water of Leith Seniors Team got off to a good start early in the season but has faltered a bit in recent matches. We look forward to an upturn in results in the second half of the league. On a brighter note, our West Edinburgh Seniors Team look to be moving positively towards their target of consolidating their place in Division 1 after winning Division 2 last year. This week saw them beat local opponents Colinton 3 – 2.

Such positive outcomes cannot be reported for either of our Men’s Water of Leith Teams but for the moment neither is bottom of its respective league. Losses of key players through illness, holidays and other factors such as the reshuffling of the teams have no doubt contributed to recent setbacks (such as losing to the Club behind Iceland). But, hopefully, the second half of the league will see more praiseworthy results. Congratulations and commiserations go to the Triples Team of Robert Douglas, Alan Nicholls and Michael Haldane who lost out so narrowly in the Semi Finals of the Scottish Bowls District competition. Let’s see if some of them can pick up the prizes in July’s Invitation Rink competition sponsored by local businessman Mark Porteous.

Before finishing I must congratulate Ross Young, Grant Wilson, Anne Blake, their sponsors and their many helpers for successfully completing the 24hr Bowlathon between Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June despite some horrendous weather. Money is still coming in so I can’t yet confirm the total but I’m sure they will be presenting healthy cheques to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at St John's Hospital, Livingston and the Edinburgh Transplant Games Team/Transplant Unit. In particular we are indebted to our neighbours in Ladycroft without whose forbearance such an event would not be possible. Which reminds me that our new member from Ladycroft has asked us to ensure the curtains of the Club are closed at night so that his wife – even with her binoculars – cannot see how many times he goes to the bar for a ‘wee sherbet’. Must do that now!
TTFN!

Charlie Husband OBE
Past President