Balerno Bowling Club

Grant Wilson may treat to a new pair of bowling shoes before he meets Steven Watson in the final of the men’s championship at Balerno Bowling Club on Sunday (2pm).
His old ones, which he has been wearing for the past ten years, recently fell apart.
One thing he won’t change before the final are his bowls. He bought them from a man he described as “a true gentleman”. His name is Alan Rankin and the purchase was made 26 years ago.
Grant is still playing with them today.
They have undoubtedly brought success as the Balerno resident is a four-time winner of the men’s title at his local club, having taken the title in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2019. Watson has won in 2017 and 2022.
Grant is actually third in the all-time list of winners behind Willie Dyet with seven wins and Laurie McMorran with six, and he is keen to edge closer to the pair by making it five triumphs against his club rival.
The much-decorated bowler, pictured below, said: “It’s great to be up against Stevie in the final as we are both very similar players and both have the same attitude towards bowling.
“Stevie and I don’t really play in any teams together, the fact is that we hardly play bowls much at all these days due to work and family commitments.
“We’ve both won most club competitions, but we are quite relaxed about bowling in general.”
Looking back, Grant recalled starting to bowl when he was about 13 years old and his first club was the Fountain Brewery Club on Slateford Road.
He said: “It was thanks to people like Jimmy Mitchell encouraging juniors to play bows and take part in junior leagues that I got the bug for it at an early age.
“One of the first things I did when I moved to Balerno in 2000 was to join the bowling club.”
The rest is history.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown, Grant said: “Stevie is a much better hitter than me and I’m sure we will be treated to that in the final.”

Gents rink final tonight - Monday 17 August 1800

Davy McNeill, Ali McLellan, Rab Mcneill and Joe Robertson

V

Robert Douglas, Derrick Robb, Derek Drysdale and Steven Watson

Men's Final: Sunday, August 23 (14.00)

Grant Wilson faces Steven Watson in the men’s final at Balerno Bowling Club on Sunday, August 23 at 14.00.
The green will be closed for the duration of the event.
Grant has won four times before (2001, 2004, 2008 and 2019) and Steven is a two-time winner, 2017 and 2022.
Only Willie Dyet and Laurie McMorran have won the Championship more times than Grant, seven wins for Willie (1961, 1962, 1964, 1968, 1973, 1975 and 1976) and six for Laurie (1966, 1967, 1977, 1979, 1982 and 1983).
Grant’s route to final was a preliminary round success over Gordon Cameron, victory in the first round over Brian Turner, then a second round success over Derek Drysdale.
Hugh Gibson was his next opponent in the quarter-final and Ferguson McBeath was beaten in the semi-final.
Steven beat Hugh Watt in his first round tie and he received walk-over in the second round. Charlie Dalton was beaten in the quarter-final and it was Kenny Girdler who was his opponent in the semi-final.
Grant believes it is his sixth final, and it is Steven’s fifth.
They have never played each other in the final before.
So, a reminder, Sunday, August 23 (14.00). A big crowd would be appreciated.
The picture is from a previous meeting, Facebook says 2021.

Congratulations to Mel on winning the Scottish singles title

🏆 | Ladies B2/3 Para Singles

Congratulations to Balerno’s Mel Inness and director George Miller on winning the Bowls Scotland Ladies B2/3 Para Singles title.

Mel defeated Muirhead & Birkhill’s Sylvia Johnston 21-7 in the final.

Gents Championship Final will be played Sunday 23rd August at 1400

The Green will be closed to other play for the duration of the final

Congratulations to Grant Wilson, defeating Ferguson McBeath 21 v 15 in the Championship semi final.

The full list of our Scottish competition finals is as follows:

Championship - Sunday 23rd August 1400

Grant Wilson v Steven Watson

Four bowl pairs

Joe Robertson and Mike Haldane v John Morrison and Derek Drysdale

Triples - Monday 24th August 1800

Adam Patterson, Brian Buckner and Phil Marshall v Robert Douglas, Derrick Robb and Steven Watson

Rink - Monday 17th August 1800

Davy McNeill, Ali McLellan, Rab Mcneill and Joe Robertson v Robert Douglas, Derrick Robb, Derek Drysdale and Steven Watson

Congratulations to our own Melanie Inness on her Silver medal at the National Finals in Ayr.

Also to Ross Young a well kent face down our way.

Congratulations to the defending champions Joe Robertson and Mike Haldane who had a hard fought victory over Derrick Robb and Steven Watson in the semi final of the Scottish Pairs.

A 15 v 13 victory, the pairs shared singles for ten ends in a row after trading 5s in two of the first three ends!

Joe and Mike face John Morrison and Derek Drysdale in the final.

Gents Championship Semi Final
Friday 14 August 1600

Ferguson McBeath v Grant Wilson

If anyone is available to mark would be much appreciated