The annual Kilmun Cup, held on March 14, once again drew a strong field of competitors to Kilmun Carpet Bowling Club, with 19 teams taking part in this year’s event — the highest entry for many years.
The Kilmun Cup, first competed for in 1945, is contested by teams of two players and has long been regarded as one of the most popular events in the local carpet bowling calendar. Although Kilmun Carpet Bowling Club folded in 1980, it was successfully reformed in 2016 under the leadership of Dougie Menzies and Robert Balfour. Since its revival, the club has gone from strength to strength and has become increasingly popular with residents of Dunoon and the surrounding area.
This year’s competition attracted entries from several local clubs, including Inveraray, Strathlachlan, Innellan, Colintraive and the host club, Kilmun. Played as a straight knockout, the tournament produced a number of surprises along the way, with several of the pre-tournament favourites falling in the early rounds. Despite that, the overall standard of play throughout the evening was exceptionally high.
It was also particularly pleasing to see three junior players representing Kilmun in the competition. Two partnered their fathers, while one young player teamed up with her grandmother. Their youth and relative inexperience proved no barrier, and their enthusiasm and determination saw them holding their own against players with decades of experience.
After a series of closely contested matches, the semi-final line-up featured Duncan and Alison Chalmers of Kilmun, Tom Paton and Alastair Fraser of Strathlachlan, Tam McDonald and Ernie Sykes of Innellan, and the defending champions Colin Steadman and Donnie McPhail of Colintraive/Innellan.
The first semi-final saw Steadman and McPhail continue their impressive form to secure a place in the final, while McDonald and Sykes also booked their place in the deciding match after a strong performance in the other semi-final.
The final proved to be a closely fought contest, with both pairs producing some excellent bowling. However, in the closing stages, Steadman and McPhail edged ahead to retain the Kilmun Cup and emerge as well-deserved winners.
Organisers expressed their gratitude to Western Ferries for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition, and to the Clyde Corner Cafe in Dunoon for kindly supplying refreshments for players and spectators throughout the event.
