Podium Open Singles Results
Over 200 players competed in Sunday’s 13 separate Podium Open Singles playdowns at 10 different venues throughout Scotland.
Despite the challenging weather, nearly all of Sunday’s playdowns were played to a completion. A huge thank you to the players, markers, umpires, assessors, host clubs and their volunteers for battling the difficult conditions.
A full report from each of the 13 different playdowns can be found below.
Broxburn BC
Four players advanced to June’s Assessment Day from Broxburn Bowling Club’s Podium Open Singles playdown due to their being a field of 23 players participating.
The event was won by current Scottish internationalist Andy Dunnett from Queensferry Bowling Club. Andy was in fine form throughout the day as he managed to come through his four respective matches without dropping a set. The West Lothian ace dispatched Brian Clarkson 2-0, Craig Gourlay 1.5-0.5, Kieran Dodds 2-0 and Dean Riva 2-0.
Runner-up in the event was current Scotland U25 internationalist Dean Riva from Gifford Bowling Club. The East Lothian rising star impressively swept aside Ewan Shearer, Megan Grantham, Logan Kennedy and Liam Grantham on his route to the final.
Fellow young players Liam Grantham and Kieran Dodds can also both look forward to next month’s Assessment Day as they both performed well to reach the later stages.
Buchan Park BC
Unfortunately, Buchan Park Bowling Club’s planned qualifier was the only one of Sunday’s Podium Open Singles playdowns to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Dumbarton BC
Another four players qualified themselves through to June’s Assessment Day courtesy of Dumbarton Bowling Club’s playdown featuring 23 players.
The competition was won by home club player Michael Keenan, who defeated Prestwick Bowling Club’s Jamie Houston 2-1 in the final following a dramatic one end tie break. Michael was somewhat of a tie break specialist throughout the day as he got the better of Donna Clark 2-1 in his opening match and beat former Bowls Scotland Gents Singles champion Mark O’Hagan by the same scoreline in the semi-final.
Jamie Houston had to settle for a second runner-up finish in the Podium Open events after losing out in the Podium Open Triples final at Kilmarnock Portland Bowling Club a fortnight ago. However, the Prestwick man can be proud of his efforts after beating daughter Emily Houston, Derek McClue, Craig McKellar and Emma McIntyre to reach the final.
Current Scottish internationalists Emma McIntyre and Mark O’Hagan bowed out at the semi final stage, both narrowly missing out on one end tie breaks.
Moray BC A
David Mitchell won the first Podium Open Singles qualifier being held at Moray Bowling Club on Sunday.
Having already won last week’s Podium Open Fours event Balgownie Bowling Club, David kept up his impressive form this weekend. The Aberchirder Bowling Club player saw off the challenge of Mike Stephen, Steve Buchanan, Katie Rendall and Joe Sammons to prevail victorious.
Joe Sammons finished the event as runner-up after narrowly missing out against David in a one end tie break in Sunday’s final. The home club player enjoyed wins over former Scottish internationalist Stuart Cruickshank, current U18 internationalist Ellie Rendall and Ashley McDonald to advance to the final.
Moray BC B
Moray Bowling Club’s second Podium Open Singles playdown was clinched by Dean McPhee.
The man from Invergordon Bowling Club fought hard throughout the day and played a number of high quality pressure bowls to win the event. Dean got the better of current U25 internationalist Lee Trotter 2-1, Bronagh Gillies 2-1, Stephen Rollinson 2-0 and Alana Coutts 1-5-0.5.
Alana Coutts also played well across all four of her matches during Sunday’s event. The youngster from Forres Bowling Club can be proud of her efforts to reach the final after beating Bradien Gillies, Jamie-Lee Lane and Kirsty Sinclair respectively.
Mount Vernon BC A
Douglas Weir claimed victory at Mount Vernon Bowling Club’s first of two Podium Open Singles qualifiers.
The Dalserf Bowling Club member had to rely upon all his experience to come through Sunday’s playdown. Three of Douglas’ four victories were decided on one end tie breaks where he managed to hold his nerve to come out on top. His most notable win came in the semi final as he defeated two-time Bowls Scotland Gents Singles winner Iain McLean 2-0.
Callum Lindsay from Lesmahagow Bowling Club finished the event as runner-up after securing impressive straight set wins over Kyle Young and Scottish internationalist Rachel Sinclair.
Mount Vernon BC B
The second Podium Open Singles qualifier at Mount Vernon Bowling Club was won by Jessica Weir.
Jessica battled through the poor weather conditions to beat former Bowls Scotland Gents Triples winner Kevin Bain, Kieran Reynolds and Chris Allan. The Cardonald Bowling Club player can now look forward to participating in next month’s Assessment Day following her strong performances.
Chris Allan also put in some solid displays during Sunday’s competition to eventually reach the final, where he agonisingly lost out on a one end tie break. The Kingswood Bowling Club member defeated former Bowls Scotland Ladies Singles champion Laura Welsh, Blair Hannah and Ian Johnston on route to the final.
Newbattle BC
23 players began Sunday’s playdown at Newbattle Bowling Club, meaning that four Assessment Day spots were up for grabs for the players that reached the semi final stage.
16-year-old Liam Fairgrieve from Craigentinny Bowling Club was the first player to reach the semi finals courtesy of impressive victories against Cameron Renton, current U25 internationalist Paul Innes and former Bowls Scotland Gents Singles champion Gordon White.
Former Scotland U25 international Gavin Smith was the next player to reach the semi final stage. The Colinton Bowling Club player defeated Gareth Robertson, current Scottish internationalist Dee Hoggan and Sarah Roberts to reach the last four.
Current Scottish internationalist Liam McKay also made it through to the semi finals after a narrow 2-1 win over William Nicol and 2-0 victory against Roy Borthwick.
The final player to reach the semi final stage at Newbattle Bowling Club was 2022 Bowls Scotland Gents Pairs winner Sam Gray. The Prestongrange Bowling Club member came through with straight sets wins against Ryan Brady and Michael Nicoll.
Unfortunately, this qualifier was unable to be played to its completion due to adverse weather conditions.
Perth BC
2023 European Open Pairs winner Andrew Thomson triumphed at Perth Bowling Club’s Podium Open Singles event.
The former Scottish internationalist was in top form throughout the event as he saw off the challenge of Ross Kinnell, Mark Fleming, Blair Gourley and Kieran Dorricott to win the competition.
Broughty Bowling Club’s Kieran Dorricott finished the event as runner-up following victories over Lisa Thomson and current Bowls Scotland Gents Fours champion Shaun Wilson. The final was a closely contested affair with Kieran just coming up short in a one end tie break.
Stanley BC
Current Scottish internationalist Andy Furye battled his way through a strong field at Stanley Bowling Club to win their Podium Open Singles qualifier.
The Arbroath Bowling Club player defeated former U25 internationalist Mhairi McCall in his first round encounter before going on to beat Craig Middleton, Fraser Lees and Jason Banks later in the day.
World Bowls Championships silver medallist Jason Banks also enjoyed a successful day to finish as runner-up. On route to the final, Jason got the better of Bruce Milne 2-0 and then had to face his father Colin and sister Carla in the next two rounds. Using all his talent and experience Jason managed to come through both games via a tie break.
Tillicoultry BC A
Scottish internationalist Paul Kane Jnr proved too strong as he won Tillicoultry Bowling Club’s first of two Podium Open Singles playdowns.
The Airdrie Central Bowling Club player ended the hopes of Leah Hunter, Logan Inglis and former U25 internationalist Dean Jones to claim victory. It certainly wasn’t all plain sailing for Paul as he had to come through a one end tie break in his semi final match with Logan Inglis.
Dean Jones also impressed during Sunday’s event as he chalked up wins against current Bowls Scotland Gents U25 Singles champion Daniel Martin and Alloa East End Bowling Club teammate Peter Kirk. The final was to be one step too far for Dean as he narrowly missed out 0.5-1.5.
Tillicoultry BC B
The second Podium Open Singles qualifier at Tillicoultry Bowling Club was clinched by Alastair Penn.
Alistair, a member of Carron & Carronshore Bowling Club, defeated Anthony Hume and Drew Murdoch in straights before ousting David Stewart 2-1 in the final.
David Stewart can also be proud of his efforts to finish the event as runner-up. The Spittalmyre Bowling Club player recorded three strong wins against current U25 internationalist Eilidh Weir, current ladies internationalist Stephanie Wallace and 2022 European Open Pairs winner Lyle Robertson to reach the final.
West Kilbride BC
Sunday’s final Podium Open Singles playdown took place at West Kilbride Bowling Club with another four Assessment Day spots up for grabs due to a field of 23 players competing in the event.
Tom Sclater managed to come through another strong field to claim victory. The experienced Stewarton Bowling Club player ended the hopes of Abbi Orderley, former Bowls Scotland Gents U25 Singles champion Robert Lenza, Alison Lamont and Jamie Low to come out on top.
Abbey Bowling Club’s Jamie Low gave a strong account of himself throughout the day to finish as runner-up. The 18-year-old overcame Megan Sproat, Wendy Grant, Conal Sinclair and Kieran Hamilton to reach Sunday’s final. Despite Jamie’s best efforts, he narrowly missed out 0.5-1.5 in the final against Tom.
Alison Lamont came through three tough encounters to reach the semi-finals at West Kilbride Bowling Club. She got the better of Leah McCloy, George Robertson and 2022 European Championship gold medallist Blair Davidson to reach the last four.
Kieran Hamilton from Mauchline Bowling Club also done well to make it through to Sunday’s semi finals. The youngster performed admirably to defeat Aaron Ferguson 2-1 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Melanie Innes 2-0.
Next weekend sees the final Podium Open event taking place with the Pairs qualifiers being held on Sunday 2nd June, a full preview will be released later in the week.
To view the full results from the Podium Open Singles, please click here.