2024 Season
Update 1
As you will note from the dates below, I managed to miss a whole season of updates so must try harder this year.
Sadly we had 2 members who passed away during the close season who will be sorely missed and our thoughts go out to both families.
Our season kicked off on Saturday 13th April and as usual only got a couple of ends played before the weather turned but did not allow this to dampen our spirits (that was what the bar was for).
A lot of work has been carried out on the green over the winter and hopefully this will reflect in the condition of it this coming season so there can be no excuses from the usual suspects. Thanks should go to our green warden Alan MacDonald who has kept on top of it during the winter. A huge thanks has to go to our regular garden and maintenance crew who have given up most Wednesday mornings to ensure the surrounding area and exterior woodwork has been well maintained. All those 'little' jobs soon mount up and without their dedication could prove costly in repairs if left untouched.
We are trialling our hats on a Saturday afternoon for this coming season to see if we can get a better response with more members playing. Some competitions have now been drawn and should be underway this coming week. The committee have decided to be more strict in allowing people to have extensions unless it is for medical or bereavement reasons. I will try to keep the website updated with scores this season.
TPP
2022 Season
Update 2
I know it's not weekly but hey, some of us have to have holidays you know.
So what's been happening while I've been away. Nothing's changed, still got no wins (or draws) in the Senior Triples, Mixed Triples and Bon Accord Triples. I guess triples are not our game J J
We have had a couple of decent results in the Bon Accord 4's over the past 2 weeks which moves us of the bottom of the table and typically we sit out this week just when we are finding some form.
We have started well in the Mearns League with the first game at home showing a 17-11 win over Fettercairn. Other results to follow. The Scottish has had some mixed results but kudos and congratulations to Alison Kane and Margaret Barbour who have got through to the final of the Scottish Ladies Pairs.
Club competitions are now underway and first blood goes to Joe Shovlin who beat Ian Forsyth 21-14 in the Gents singles. Other results to follow.
Update 1
It is I, the Phantom Poster, I have returned J J J
Well the new season is upon us and we look forward to enjoying a full season of bowling this year.
Existing members will see there is quite a change to the surrounding area of the green and clubhouse. Such as the new dugout, bin storage area and of course the tarring of the path in front of the clubhouse which allows easier access for disabled.
These changes did not occur by themselves so a big thank you to the “Beechgrove Gardening Crew”. I will not name them individually for fear of upsetting someone if I miss them out but they know who they are.
Also a big thank you to Stewart Grant Building Services for his hard work and ensuring the tarred pathway was ready in time for opening.
A special mention has to go to Walter ‘Tattie’ McMillan in securing a grant from Aberdeenshire Council for the above work and in obtaining a donation from the Clochandighter for new mats.
The green opened on Saturday 16th April with club secretary Margaret Sloan throwing the first jack on behalf of club president Fred Wyness.
The good news now stops as the Bon Accord league matches started on Monday 25th April.
First game up was the senior triples against Westhill and both Portlethen teams lost by 14-8 and 15-7.
It didn’t get any better with the fours on Friday night against Woodend with the home rink going down 19-13 and the away rink being thrashed 23-6. The players will not be mentioned this week to avoid embarrassment but beware.
On to Saturday 1st May when the internal rinks competition took place. Two new bowlers (Barry Hill and 12 year old Leon Brown) took part and to their credit, both performed well in their first competitive match.
F Falconer, L Brown, J Shovlin, F Sloan 14, v E McCusker, B Hill, J Webster, E Kane 12
J Green, E Collie, A MacDonald, I Forsyth 16, v B Neave, G Barbour, W McMillan, F Wyness 15
Final: F Falconer, L Brown, J Shovlin, F Sloan 8, v J Green, E Collie, A MacDonald, I Forsyth 18
Well done to all who participated.
TPP
2020 Season
Friday 10 July
Following on from yesterday’s announcement that the club will be open for bowling from 13th July please note that the following will apply.
The clubhouse will remain closed with no access to the facilities until further notice.
No member showing signs of COVID-19 should enter the green area.
A maximum of 3 people should be in the locker room at any one time.
Changing rooms must only be accessed for lockers or toilet facilities.
Changing of shoes must be done outside.
Where benches and tables are used, the must be completely wiped down after use with the supplied disinfectant wipes.
Only the toilet facilities within the changing rooms may be used.
Alternate rinks shall be used until further notice.
A maximum of 24 players will be on the green at any one time.
The on duty committee member will allocate rinks on the day.
The on duty committee member will record details of those present for track and trace purposes.
No equipment other than mats and jacks to be taken onto the green.
Black mats to be used during afternoon play and blue mats in the evening to allow time for them to dry following cleaning.
It is suggested that mats should be left in place whenever possible to reduce handling and risk of contamination.
All mats and jacks must be cleaned after use with the disinfectant spray supplied.
Each player should carry hand sanitiser with them during play.
Do not congregate in the changing rooms or viewing area either before or after your game.
Social distancing rules must be followed and maintained at all times.
Players must follow Bowls Scotland COVID-19 guidelines.
The committee understand that the above is not ideal but the safety of our members must remain our primary focus.
Thursday 9 July
P&DBC committee have met and agreed to open the green for bowling from Monday 13th July with some restrictions. The opening times are Monday to Saturday from 2pm until 4pm with evening sessions being Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm until 9pm. Further details will follow shortly.
Wednesday 27 May 2020
Portlethen & District Bowling Club committee have discussed (via messenger and email) the opening of the green following Scottish Government and Bowls Scotland guidance documents to clubs.
Although we are all keen to return to bowling as soon as possible, 10 of the 13 committee members felt that the guidance was too onerous, difficult to monitor and time consuming to manage and the decision has been made for the green to remain closed at this time. This decision has not been made lightly but the safety of our members must be paramount.
We will continue to monitor the situation including any change in the guidance issued by Bowls Scotland And update members accordingly.
Monday 23 March 2020
Unfortunately it won't come as any surprise but still disappointing to announce that Portlethen & District Bowling Club will remain closed for the foreseeable future during the current COVID-19 crisis. The committee had intended meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the 2020 season but tonight's government announcement has prevented this from happening.
There will be further announcements regarding opening day but at the moment the decision has been made to postpone this until further notice.
The health and welfare of all our members is paramount and the safety of all has to be at the forefront of any decision making in regards to the season ahead. Stay in and stay safe.
2018 Season
2nd Update
After the disasterous start to the season for the seniors, they have rallied well taking 10 points from a possible 12 to climb the table into 3rd position, three points of the lead.
The BBA Triples are now second in the league, one point off the top after picking up 8 points out of a possible 10 in their last two games whilst the rinks dropped thier first 2 points of the season away to Culter. However they remain top of the league three points ahead of their closest rivals.
Congratulations to Celia Stapleton, Karen Brown and Mabel Ewen who edged through to the semi-final of the Scottish Ladies Triples by virtue of a last end winning shot. Other successes in the Scottish are Donna Noble and Fred Wyness in the mixed pairs, Jamie Green and Drew Sloan (Gents Pairs) and the Portlethen A rinks.
It was a close game in the annual friendly against Woodend with the visitors winning by 86 shots to 82.
Club competitions are now well under way with the following results:
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: Margaret Sloan (2) 21, Joe Shovlin (1) 14; Donna Noble (3) 13, Margaret Barbour (3) 21;
Ladies Pairs: Margaret Barbour Gladys Walker, 13 Isabel McIntyre, Donna Noble 11;
Open Pairs: Jamie Green Drew Sloan 13, Kieran Marcella Graham West 12; Jim Webster Calum Work 18, George and Margaret Barbour 5
Afternoon Singles: Jim McKandie 20, Flem Falconer 21;
Over 55 Singles: Margaret Barbour 21, Joe Shovlin 14;
Gents Singles: Graham West 21, Joe Shovlin 7; Eddie Kane 21, Ian Forsyth 14; Fraser Sloan 6, Jim McKandie 21;
TTFN
TPP
1st Update
Well the season's been underway for about a month now and I've eventually found the time to try and post something this season.
As I missed the start of the season I am missing some results but will give what I can. The 7 end round robin singles was won by Jim Webster who overcame Walter Bruce in a very close final.
The senior triples got off to a mixed start against Polmuir with one team drawing 14-14 but the other had an absolute nightmare losing 27-2.
The Bon Accord 4's got off to a flyer against Cults winning 16-12 at home and 15-10 away from home meaning they top the league after the first week. the triples lost 15-12 at home but had a good away victory of 19-9 against Aberdeen.
Very brief post but hopefully I will have the time to keep everyone updated throughout the season.
TTFN
TPP
2017 SEASON
6th Update
I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks as I have been too embarrassed by Portlethen’s performances.
BBA 4’s: 2 points from 10, BBA triples 0/10, BBA Seniors 2/8. Need I say any more? These results mean that even as early as halfway through the season, the triples are relegated barring some miraculous comeback and the fours are slugging it out with 2 other teams to avoid dropping down into the second division. The only hope being that they do the same as last year and go on a winning run in the second half of the season which lifted them to fourth place. The early form of the high flying seniors has nosedived as have their chances of winning the league.
The Mearns teams have fared slightly better with the game against Bervie to be re-scheduled due to inclement weather. The away game against Montrose HP resulted in a narrow defeat for the Portlethen rink of Norman Leslie, John Barclay, Eddie Collie and Jim Morrison by 16 shots to 15 and the home rink of Graham West, Mike Marsh, Jim Webster and Jim McKandie winning 29-14 to secure 3 points.
The A&K teams can hold their head high taking 9/10 points from their last 2 games to finish 1 point behind the league play-off position. The final game against Kincardine O’Neil saw the away rink of Joe Shovlin, Eddie Collie, Jim Webster and Fred Wyness draw 15-15 and the home rink of Kieran Marcella, Karen Brown, Stacey Sloan and Walter Bruce win 16-8.
The club open pairs competition played over 8 ends was a success albeit a smaller turn out than usual. The final came down to George Barbour and Karen Brown against Gordon Noble and Drew Sloan and it went right to the wire. With Gordon and Drew leading 7-6 and 1 shot and a measure against, it was Drew who drew the shot with his last bowl and secure an 8-6 victory (this was only right after predicting this the day before the competition).
Portlethen hosted Transport in the Bon Accord Top 10 knockout competition and the game could have gone either way. Transport put the first points on the board when Portlethen’s Eddie Kane lost 21-13 in the singles. This was offset with a fine performance from the Portlethen triple of Calum Work, Alistair Abel and Jamie Green who won by 15 shots to 5. This meant it came down to the pairs and rinks to decide which way the tie was going. Fred Wyness and Walter Bruce were having a very tight game but the rink of George Brown, Walter McMillan, John Stephen and Drew Sloan were down 10-1 after seven ends. This meant the pairs had to find shots from somewhere for Portlethen to have any chance of qualifying but after 13 ends it was 9-8 to the pairs with the rinks down 13-5. In a dramatic final few ends the pairs were being held at 12-12 after fifteen but Portlethen rinks went on to win 19-13 with the pairs securing a 17 -12 win for Portlethen to progress to the next round with a 6-2 victory.
Competition Results:
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: M Sloan (2) 13, F Falconer (0) 21; J Webster (2) 9, D Sloan (-1) 21; A MacDonald (2) 19, F Sloan (0) 21; G West (2) 20, H Stewart (2) 21; D Noble (2) 10, K Brown (2) 21;
Gents Pairs: F Wyness A MacDonald 12, F Falconer D Sloan 21;
Gents Singles: J Morrison 21, J Webster 10; E Kane 15, D Sloan 21; F Wyness 21, G Duncan 13; N Herd 18, F Falconer 21;
Afternoon Singles: G Walker 11, A MacDonald 21; F Falconer 21, W McMillan 14; J Reaper 21,M Barbour 12; J Shovlin 18, G West 21;
Open Pairs: J Reaper J McKandie 17, D Noble H Stewart 6; N Herd G Brown 8, J Webster J Stephen 16; J Green G Walker 9, K Marcella M MacDonald 16; B Neave E Kane 12, G West M Sloan 11;
Ladies Singles: M Barbour 17, D Noble 21; M Ewen 20, I McIntyre 21; G Walker 18, S Sloan 21;
Ladies Pairs: D Noble E MacDonald 4, J Robson M Barbour 15;
Over 60’s: N Leslie 14, J McKandie 21; G West 2, F Falconer 21;
TPP
5th Update
It was poor night for Portlethen in the Mearns league with both teams going down against St Cyrus. The home rink of Margaret Sloan, Jim McKandie, Jim Webster and Hugh Stewart losing 20-12 whilst the away 4 of Norman Leslie, Bryan Neave, Rodney Shand and Jim Morrison suffered an embarrassing 36-7 loss.
For the third time this season the Bon Accord rinks failed to pick up any points and even this early in the season find them in a relegation tussle. The home team of Calum Work, Joe Shovlin, Fraser Sloan and Eddie Kane lost by 23 shots to 14 whilst the away rink of George Brown, Walter McMillan, Alan Macdonald and Drew Sloan lost 20-12 at the Northern.
It was another 5 points for the Northern in the triples when the Portlethen trio of Norman Leslie, Jim McKandie and Alistair Abel managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by losing an eight in the penultimate end and the game 21-14. This coupled with the home three of Frank Goddard, Neil Herd and Jamie Green losing 17-11means that Portlethen are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table.
Northern completed a clean sweep as it was their turn to visit Portlethen for the annual friendly and came away winning 102-82.
At least the A&K teams could hold their head high claiming all 5 points against Kemnay to continue their good run and push for 2nd place in the league. Kieran Marcella, Karen Brown, Stacey Sloan and Walter Bruce won 13-12 at home with Bryan Neave, Jim Webster, Fred Wyness and Hugh Stewart winning 18-12 away.
Stacey Sloan retains the bragging rights as the only regular Friday night player to remain undefeated.
Competition Results:
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: E Kane (-2) 21, G Duncan (2) 8
Gents Pairs: B Neave G Brown 17, J Morrison E Kane 18; J Birnie W Finch 10, G Duncan N Herd 21; W McMillan W Bruce 8, J McKandie F Sloan 21
Gents Singles: J Walker 12, F Wyness 21; W Bruce 21, A Macdonald 20; W McMillan 14, C Work 21; G Brown 14, D Sloan 21;
Afternoon Singles: J Webster 19, W McMillan 21; M Marsh 11, F Falconer 21;
TPP
4th Update
The friendly against Dyce was cancelled as expected considering it clashed with the cup final.
Portlethen men set out to defend their Barclay Harvey cup win of last season against Fettercairn at Laurencekirk and just about fell at the first hurdle. With just 4 ends each to play, both rinks were well behind with the four of Frank Goddard, Jim McKandie, Fraser Sloan and John Stephen being down by 14 shots to 4 and the rink of Jim Webster, Alistair Abel, Fred Wyness and Drew Sloan also being down by 15 shots to 2.
However in a never say die attitude, both rinks fought back over the last 4 end for a 20-14 and 12-15 score respectively making it 32-29 for Portlethen who clearly played their get out of jail card on this one.
Mixed fortunes again in the Mearns league with Margaret Sloan, Jim McKandie, Jim Webster and Drew Sloan winning 18-15 at home against Johnshaven and the away rink of Norman Leslie, Bryan Neave, Jim Morrison and Rodney Shand losing 26-8.
Friday night was a bit of an improvement over the previous 2 weeks for the rinks with 4 points secured against Newhills in the Bon Accord League. The home rink of Calum Work, Joe Shovlin, Fraser Sloan and Eddie Kane winning 20-9 with the away four of George Brown, Walter McMillan, John Stephen and Drew Sloan scratching out a 12-12 draw despite an under par performance from the skip.
Not so good news for the triples who went down 11-22 at home and 17-19 away. They are undoubtedly feeling life tough in the top tier.
The A&K home team of Flem Falconer, Stacey Sloan, Walter Bruce and Fred Wyness pulled off the shock of the night by beating league favourites Tarves 14-13 but another heavy defeat of 24-11 for the away team made it 2 points only.
Competition Results:
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: E Kane (-2) 21, G Duncan (2) 8
Gents Pairs: B Neave G Brown 17, J Morrison E Kane 18; J Birnie W Finch 10, G Duncan N Herd 21; W McMillan W Bruce 8, J McKandie F Sloan 21
Gents Singles: J Morrison 21, J Loughlan 8;
TPP
3rd Update
The Third friendly of the season was away to Woodend where Portlethen secured an 84-66 victory.
The seniors have really got off to a flyer this season following on last week’s good win. This time it was 3 points at the expense of the Dyce when the unchanged teams of Bryan Neave, Graham West and Ian Forsyth drawing 12-12 and George Brown, Jim McKandie and Alan Macdonald winning 16-12 to make it 41-17 overall and top the league after 3 games played.
In the Ladies singles, defending champion Karen Brown fell at the first hurdle losing 21-7 to former junior champion Stacey Sloan.
Wednesday night saw the start of the Mearns league and a poor night for Portlethen against Newtonhill. The home rink of Graham West, Bryan Neave Fraser and Drew Sloan losing 18-12 at home in what can only be described as a shockingly bad performance, with the away rink losing 16-11.
Friday night was a bit of a disaster in the Bon Accord Leagues with all 4 teams losing, 3 of them heavily. The away triple of Norman Leslie, Joe Shovlin and Alistair Abel losing 17-4 at Westhill and the home team of Frank Goddard, Ian Forsyth and Jamie Green losing 14-10.
The rinks were given a lesson in bowling when Calum Work, Neil Herd, Fraser Sloan and Eddie Kane went down 23-6 at home to league favourites Westhill with the away four of George Brown, Walter McMillan, John Stephen and Drew Sloan being outclassed in a 29-7 shot defeat. This despite the fact they were leading 7-5 after 6 ends.
The A&K teams had mixed fortunes with the away team of Bryan Neave, Davie Lovie, Jim Webster and Fred Wyness suffering a heavy 35-6 loss away to Inverurie and the home team of Kieran Marcella, Karen Brown, Stacey Sloan and Hugh Stewart with the only Portlethen victory of the night, winning 16-11.
The less said about Portlethen’s performances in the Scottish, the better
Competition Results:
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: I Forsyth (3) 14, J Green (1) 21; N Leslie (1) 20, G Brown (0) 21; J Morrison (2) 11, D Sloan (-1) 21;
Open Pairs: C Work W Bruce 17, J Walker F Falconer 9;
Gents Singles: D Lovie 6, F Falconer 21; F Goddard 6, G West 21; J Reaper 21, J Birnie 17; F Sloan 10, N Herd 21; J Shovlin 21, M MacDonald 16; E Kane 21, I Forsyth 11;
Ladies Singles: G Walker 21, J Robson 8;
Over 60’s Singles: M Barbour 5, J Shovlin 21;
TPP
2nd Update
The second friendly of the season was away at Seafield
The annual 7 end singles knock out competition got underway and was won by Jim McKandie who edged out habitual winner and defending champion John Stephen 7-6 following a terrific draw with his last bowl.
The seniors have really got off to a flyer this season following on last week’s good win. This time it was another 5 points at the expense of the Transport when the unchanged teams of Graham West, Ian Forsyth and Walter McMillan winning 25-5 and George Brown, Jim McKandie and Alan Macdonald winning 16-12 to make it 41-17 overall and top the league after 2 games played.
The club competitions are now underway. In the Bob Dempster Handicap singles, Ian Forsyth had a convincing 21-8 win over 7 end singles winner Jim McKandie whilst Walter McMillan turned the table on last year’s nemesis with a 21-17 win over Stacey Sloan.
Defending champion Fred Wyness got off to a sticky start before overcoming Hugh Stewart 21-16 in the Gents singles and book his place in the first round proper.
In the 2x2 pairs, Neil Herd (remember he of 16-0) and George Brown had a comfortable 18-11 win over former gents and current ladies champions Fraser Sloan and Karen Brown.
Friday night stretched the resources with enforced changes in the Bon Accord Triples and the commencement of the A&K league. The away triple of Norman Leslie, Joe Shovlin and Alistair Abel losing 12-8 at Kitty but the home team of Frank Goddard, Ian Forsyth and Jamie Green securing 3 points with a 13-8 win.
The rinks were unchanged for the second game of the season against Kittybrewster however it was not a good night with no points picked up. Calum Work, Alan MacDonald, Fraser Sloan and Eddie Kane went down 23-19 at home with the away four of George Brown, Walter McMillan, John Stephen and Drew Sloan having a good comeback from 16-7 down to just falling short and lose by 16 shots to 15.
The A&K teams had some good fortune when their opponents could not field a team therefore both teams awarded an 8-0 win and 5 points
The annual 4 bowl pairs was held on Saturday with Jim McKandie following up his success from the 7 end singles coming out on top along with partner Donna Noble (she who beat Neil herd 16-0. Did I mention that before?) when beating current ladies and Gents champions Karen Brown and Fred Wyness in the final.
Competition Results:
Gents Singles: F Wyness 21 H Stewart 16;
Bob Dempster Handicap Singles: Ian Forsyth 21(3) Jim McKandie 8 (2); W McMillan (2) 21 S Sloan (0) 17;
Open Mixed Pairs: N Herd G Brown 18, K Brown F Sloan 11;
TPP
1st Update
The season is off to a slow start this year with some poor and cold weather on Mondays reducing the entries for the hat.
The annual 7 end singles round robin got underway and was won by Neil Herd for the first time. This confounded and surprised everyone there as Neil qualified for the quarter finals by way of being runner up in his section despite losing 16-0 to newcomer Donna Noble (yes I did say 16-0).
First friendly of the season was at Portlethen and started off with an 82-66 win v Abergeldie with the second one taking place at Seafield on Saturday 7th May.
In the seniors league it was a good start for Portlethen taking all 5 points against Abergeldie with both triples winning. Graham West, ian Forsyth and Walter McMillan by 14-9 and George Brown, Jim McKandie and Alan MacDonald 14-10 giving a 28-19 overall win.
The rink of John Barclay, Bryan Neave, Flem Falconer and Eddie Kane saw off the challenge of Jim Birnie, Davie Lovie, Frank Goddard and Alan Macdonald to win 17-14 and head for the semi-final where they met Joe Shovlin, Ian Forsyth, Jim McKandie and John Stephen losing 18-10 in the process. The latter rink making the semi’s following a 14-10 win over Graham West, Calum Work, Walter McMillan and Fred Wyness.
The second semi-final was between Jim Webster, Hugh Stewart, Jamie Green and Fraser Sloan against George Brown, George Duncan, Eddie Collie and Drew Sloan with the latter four winning 18-11.
In the final it was nip and tuck until the 12th and 13th ends where a 6 and 5 were scored by John’s rink who went on to win by 22 shots to 14.
Friday night was the start of the Bon Accord leagues and it was a tough introduction to the 1st division for the triples. Graham West, Neil Herd and Fred Wyness lost 18-16 at Whitehall with the home team of Frank Goddard, Ian Forsyth and Jamie Green losing 16-14.
The rinks started the season with a good 5 points against Seafield. Calum Work, Alan MacDonald, Fraser Sloan and Eddie Kane with a convincing 20-7 win at home with the away four of George Brown, Walter McMillan, John Stephen and Drew Sloan having a good 18-12 win.
TPP
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