True, they had stroke advantage but, showing considerable skill and composure, they won both the singles and foursomes and sent the adults homewards with something to think about.
On a bright and sunny day virtually all the regulars had turned out for the occasion and, after enjoying the ample refreshments, applauded the winners as they received their trophies from competition organiser, Donald Dundas as follows:
Barclay Harvey Shield (weekly competitions) and the Wairds Park Trophy (the Cup), Ewan McCallum. 72 Hole Stroke Play Championship and Champion of Champions, David Smith. Waughton Trophy – Ladies Stroke Play Champion, Alison Beedie. Major L. Kerr Thistle Trophy for Family Foursomes, Michael Craig, Snr. and Michael Craig, Jnr. (for the eighth consecutive year). Under 16 Stroke Play Championship and Junior Champion of Champions, Findlay McCallum. Primary School Champion, Liam Beedie, Novices Trophy, Rhurie McCallum. Sandy Pittendreigh Trophy for Endeavour, Max McBay.
Donald then thanked all who had supported the competitions throughout the year and the ladies who had been responsible for Sunday's catering.
As a footnote to the putters' successful season and what was generally considered to have been a very poor summer weather-wise, not one of their competitions was lost due to rain.

Bowling Club

In weather reminiscent of the occasion of the Kincardineshire League's annual round robin tournament in 2004 when a one-legged heron kept its balance better than many bowlers and the ditch was more welcoming than the jack, Bill Inglis and Donald Dundas met in the final of the men's Handicap Singles.
Bill immediately took advantage of the two shots already on his card, and, handling the very tricky conditions better than Donald, led by 9 shots to 3 after nine ends. Donald gradually found his touch, however, and at the eighteenth levelled the score, 13-13. Although there continued to be little between the finalists, Donald had edged in front, 18-16, after twenty four ends. At the next Donald was lying three shots to close the game off but with his last bowl Bill played what appeared to have been a finely judged saving shot which was crawling its way gently to the jack until an unexpected gust of wind took it onwards, ever onwards, giving Donald Dundas the Handicap Trophy by 21 shots to 16. That end was fairly typical of the way in which the gale affected the game and both Bill and Donald are to be congratulated on the quality of bowls which they managed to produce in the most trying of conditions.
By the time the final was completed the club's "fun day" was in full swing. Initiated by the caravanning members of the club, the event involved bowls, putting, darts and dominoes and, while the wind had not abated, those who participated always had the prospect of the more leisurely indoor activities to bring them in from the cold. In such an omnibus format no one talent was likely to dominate and once all the statistics had been completed Bryan Duff emerged as the overall winner: runner-up was Bill Inglis and Alan Robbie was third.
A first class raffle and a number of guessing games resulted in £125 being raised for the Bowling Carpet Fund and at the end of what turned out to be a fairly lengthy day president, Alan Robbie, thanked all who had contributed to the success of the event which is likely to be repeated next year, probably in mid summer.
Conditions were much calmer on Sunday morning for the final of the men's Drawn Pairs which saw Jim Brebner and Alan Robbie matched against Ian Waddell and Donald Dundas and for much of the contest there was nothing to choose between the pairs, Jim and Alan in fact having just the better of things, 9-5 up after nine ends and one ahead, 12-11, after twelve. The final turned dramatically in Ian and Donald's favour, however, when they counted a four followed by two consecutive doubles to stand on the brink of victory, 19-12. Jim and Alan's single at the penultimate end only postponed the inevitable and, with one shot at the last, Ian Waddell and Donald Dundas became the men's Drawn Pairs champions for 2009.
Well, things did get better for Ann Aitken, Meggie Hann, Alan Black and Alan Robbie in their recent outing in the Kincardineshire Indoor League – but not enough to give them a victory, the Portlethen Bowling Club getting the better of them by 18 shots to 12.
The Club's next match is against Newtonhill B.C. on Tuesday, October 13.
All club members are asked to note that the finals of both the Men's and Ladies' championships will be held this Sunday, October 11 at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Guild

The very good turnout at the Guild's silent auction in the Village Hall on Friday night produced some keen bidding as the minutes ticked away to the closing bell. Helped by a raffle, the excellent sum of £307 was raised for Guild funds and convener, Mrs Jean Cook, thanked all who had supported the auction in any way.
The next regular meeting of the Guild will be the leisure hour in the Church Hall on Monday, October 12 at 2.30 p.m. when the speaker will be a member of the firm of McGregor, Balfour Textiles, Limited.
Eagle-eyed observers of nature might have wondered why last week's Jottings intimated that the Guild will be holding a daffodil tea on October 31. Clearly the writer of this column does not know his flowers because the ladies will not be so doing unless there is some magic potion to force the daffies on over the next three weeks! There will, however, be a chrysanthemum tea/coffee morning on the prescribed date from 10 until 11.30 a.m.

Community Council

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Village Hall (small) on Wednesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. Items for the agenda should be in the hands of the chair, Chris Greene, Ceol – na –Mara, Back Road by Monday, October 12.

Memories

Twenty years ago local primary school pupils were involved in a number of sports. On the Saturday a team of runners, along with others from primaries in Grampian Region, participated in a cross-country event at Bridge of Don. The team, comprising John Leith, Steven Taylor, Ashley Taylor, Russell Coburn, Andrew Wallace, Claire Adam, Ross Farmer, Stuart Taylor and Mathew Whinnett finished in a highly commendable third place. On the Sunday, Mr Henry Hepburn, a former teacher at Johnshaven, brought the boys of King Street Dons to Wairds Park for a match against the local school which resulted in an honourable draw, 5-5.
After the match teas were provided by the local mums in the Gasworks where, on a glorious afternoon, by all accounts a thoroughly good time was had by all.