Visually Impaired Bowlers

It was a very successful day at Glasgow Indoor BC for the VIBS National Balleted Pairs. 12 teams competing from all corners of Scotland. A very big thank you to Glasgow Indoor BC Gordon Woods and his staff, Tony Cochrane who kept everyone fed with great food. A very special thank you also goes to the Directors, Coaches, Helpers who made this happen. 1st place: John Fox Three Towns and John Miller Forth Valley. 2nd place: John McKay Ayr Howie and Andrew Summers Cumbernauld & Kelvin. 3rd place: Alistair Petrie Renfrew and Bennett Ward Ayr Howie. Well played by all, already looking forward to the next Event.

A History of Visually Impaired Bowling

HERE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY ABOUT VIBS FORMERLY KNOWN AS SABB.

Although this skilful and fascinating game has been around for centuries, it was not until the late 1950s that blind people were introduced to the sport in Scotland. In 1959 bowling for the blind and visually Impaired was started in the Kirkcaldy area by David Burse. During that same year visually impaired persons in Dundee and Paisley also took up bowling.

Already in existence was the Scottish Bowlers for the War Blinded based in Edinburgh. In August of that year the four teams met at Baxter Park Dundee for the first ever competition. In 1963 as other areas in Scotland started up blind bowling, a meeting was held in Perth, where those present agreed to set up the Scottish Association for Blind Bowlers. From that date onwards various competitions took place mainly in Perth itself and at the South Inch Park.

In those days, the system used to direct the bowler was entirely different to that of today. Then, the blind bowler was guided to the mat and instructed to bowl to the sound of the voice, the clapping of hands or a bell ringing behind the jack. Today, we use the ‘clock method’, as it is generally known, and this is possibly the most important innovation for all blind bowlers. Using this system, the ‘marker’ who is a very important individual in the game, is stationed beyond the Jack. His/her job is to indicate to the players, at what “time” and distance from the jack the bowl has come to rest. The ‘jack’ is the centre of the clock; therefore, six o’clock is in front and twelve o’clock behind, with all other positions being relative to the clock. From the information fed back from the ‘marker’ the player can build up a mental picture of the ‘head’, knowing exactly the position of each bowl in the ‘head’, thus allowing the player who cannot see, to be involved and familiar with the finer points of the game. The only minor concession made to the blind is that a fine white centre string runs under the mat and is fixed at both ends. The main object of this centre string is to help the bowler to judge the amount of grass required for each bowl delivered.

2023

Bennett and Paul with Directors, Vic and Colin, receiving their Activity in the Community Award from Ayrshire Sportsability at the awards ceremony in November.

Annual VIBS Awards Lunch in October

Wilson McCullagh and John Symington won the VI Pairs held on Friday 15th September. They were both in excellent form, beating Martin Bryson and Roger Brown 9-1 and John McKay and Colin Carmichael 7-3 en route to the trophy. Other teams competing were Bennett Ward and partner Vic Crockford, Paul Sharp and John McWhirter and John Davidson and Archie Pagan. Presentations were made after the competition to all the winners throughout the season.

John McKay scored a notable double winning both the VI Singles and also the VI League.

Bennett Ward and Paul Sharp were selected to represent Scotland in the Home Nation’s Visually Impaired UK Outdoors Singles Championships held at Clarence Park Bowling Club in Weston-Super-Mere in August. This was Paul’s first call up, while Bennett has represented Scotland back in 2018 at Llandrindod Wells, Wales in a Tri Nations featuring Scotland, England and Wales, where he had a great match against England just losing 20-19, and going on to win two and lose one to complete a highly satisfactory debut and a bronze medal! Bennett competed in the Gents B1 class and Paul in the Gents B4 class.

Bennett, Vic Paul and Colin in their Scotland shirts

Paul, guided by Colin won the VI section of the Ayrshire Sportsability Bowling Competition on the 19th August held at Howie.. Paul along with runner up John McKay qualified for the national final which was held at Kelvingrove on 9th September. Paul won the gold medal in the B2 class, and was undefeated in his three games.

Director Colin and Paul with the medal

Bennett and Paul entered the VIBS National Singles Competition at Paisley on the 15th August. In Bennett’s category, B1, there were only three entrants so Bennett (guided by Vic) had two games winning the first 8 – 6 and the second 12 – 2. In Paul’s category (B4) there was a much bigger entry. He had two games on day 1, against stiff opposition, and lost the 1st 21 – 7 and lost the 2nd 21 – 16 after leading for most of the game and was unlucky not to win it.

Paul Sharp (directed by Colin Carmichael) and Bennett Ward (directed by Vic Crockford) took part in the Liz Taggart VI Pairs at Willowbank Bowling Club Glasgow. On 8th Aug 2023.
The first Challenge they faced was to actually reach the venue. Glasgow was hosting an International Cycling event and a major road that bisects Glasgow was closed for the event and after getting within half a mile from the Bowling Club there was absolutely no way to reach it other than to go back and come in to Glasgow from another direction. The game was due to start at 10am but due to everyone having difficulty getting there it was 11am before the games got under way.

Bennett and Paul played two games, in the first they got off to a slow start and never really recovered losing 8 – 4. The next game was better, and they managed to win by 3 shots but it wasn’t good enough to win the trophy and they had to be content with second place.

VIs at Willowbank BC, Glasgow- Liz Taggart Pairs

Vic and Paul at Ayr Bowling Tournament Pairs tie

Paul in action at National Championships

At start of National Championship semifinal

Paul getting bronze medal for semifinal appearance at 2023 National B2/3 Class

Ayr Howie and East Kilbride VI bowlers.

On Wednesday, Ayr Howie hosted East Kilbride in a VI showdown. Ayr Howie triumphed. Of

At 7 ends played Howie A team (John McKay & Wilson McCullagh) were tied with E. Kilbride A team at 8 shots each and Howie B team (Bennett Ward & Paul Sharp) we’re also tied with E. Kilbride B team with 6 shots each. In the second half E. Kilbride A team pulled ahead to lead by 5 shots but John & Wilson rallied winning three ends in a row going into the last end tied at 16 shots each. However after peppering the Jack but failing to have any cover at the back, the E. Kilbride Skip, with his last bowl, carried the Jack to take 4 shots. Meanwhile on the other rink, Bennet and Paul took advantage of their opponents weakness on a long jack and gradually edged ahead to win by six shots and give the Howie the overall win. Many thanks to Janet, Anne and Ellen for providing us all with breakfast, half-time tea and lunch. Lovely, and very much appreciated by all.

VI bowlers and Directors

Ayr Howie hosted East Kilbride in a VI showdown on 19th July. . In an exciting contest Ayr Howie triumphed by 2 shots.

Ayr Howie Visually Impaired Bowlers Bennett Ward and Paul Sharp and their guides Vic Crockford and Colin Carmichael represented the Howie in the Visually Impaired Bowls Scotland National Pairs competition at Sighthill Bowling Club Edinburgh. The competition was run over 2 days on the 28th and 29th June each of the 12 teams playing four games.

This was the first time that Bennett and Vic had competed since returning from their holidays and in the first game, against Duneden (the eventual competition winners) it took a while for them to get their act together, and although they improved as the game progressed and in spite of some good bowls by Paul, they lost by 8 shots to 18.
In the second game against East Kilbride, the improvement continued and Paul and Bennett were bowling really well and finished the game worthy winners 14 – 5.

The following day Bennett and Paul maintained their impressive form, winning both games against two strong teams from Forth Valley 11 – 8 and 14 – 5 taking 3rd place overall and only being beaten to 2nd place by shot difference.

Final Placings :
Duneden 8 points plus 35 shots
Forth Valley (A) 6 points plus 27 shots
Ayr Howie 6 points plus 9 shots

Paul and Bennett flanked by Directors Colin Carmichael and Vic Crockford

Paul Sharp and Bennett Ward were in action on Sunday 11th June in Glasgow, aiming to qualify for the National VI Championships to be held at Northfield at the end of July. Paul won two out of his three matches, losing only to Commonwealth Games gold medalist and three times UK VI Singles Champion Robert Barr, and along with Robert qualified for the event.

Paul Sharp received the Shield for the VI Ayr Indoor Singles Championship from owner Gordon Neil in March.

The VIs were competing in a balloted Triples competition organised by Visually Impaired Bowlers Scotland at East Kilbride on the 18th February.

All the competitors at East Kilbride Indoor B C

2022

John Mckay, with sighted partner Colin Carmichael won the Visually Impaired Pairs which were held in glorious sunshine on the last day in August. The round robin event was again a highlight of the year, and enjoyed by all four teams and comprised 3 games for each pair. After the second set of games, each pair had won and lost one game, so it all hinged on the result of the final set of games. In a very close competition, John and Colin won by a slimmest of margins – on shot difference by one! Gallant runners up were Wilson McCullagh and Keith Lyons.

Paul Sharp and Bennett Ward won the long established Liz Taggart Cup at Stenhousemuir on the 9th August, winning both their matches by impressive margins – beating Eleanor Clark and Robert Rodger 9-4, and then Willie Cauldfield and Dougie Duncan 10-1. Paul Sharp was the undoubted man of the tournament, with exquisite drawing and telling conversion whenever a crisis loomed. A Scottish call up cannot be far away!

Left to Right, Willie Cauldfield, Dougie Duncan, Bennett Ward and Paul Sharp,

Here are the players with their Directors Mary Duncan and Ian Robertson. Match Official and Secretary of Visually Impaired Bowlers Scotland, Ian Graham is on the right.

Director Ian receiving a commemorative medal from Paul and Bennett.

The Visually Impaired Bowlers Scotland National Pairs was held over two days, Monday the 4th and Tuesday the 5th July in Glasgow. Howie Bowling Club were represented by Bennett Ward and Paul Sharp.
Bennett and Paul got of to a flying start, deservedly winning their 1st game 14 – 8 against good opposition.

Their 2nd game was much harder, it was nip and tuck all the way, and on the final end and with Paul having the last bowl and laying two shots, if nothing changed the score would be drawn at 14 shots each, Paul drew what looked to be a winner all the way but unfortunately tipped one of the shots a mere half an inch his last bowl rolling to the side and leaving the opponents the winners by 14 shots to 13.

Their 1st game on Tuesday was against a very experienced pair who were strong favourites to win the competition. Paul and Bennett got off to a slow start with the opposition skip undoing all Bennett good work as lead, however in the second half of the game, Paul demonstrated his prowess with the running- bowl, taking the jack back on one occasion and taking shot bowls out on another, finally drawing the shot with his last to win the game by one shot.

The last game was painful, Bennett bowled well, but the opposing lead always managed to land one of the four bowls on or near the jack and on the occasions that Bennett and Paul held the shot the opposing skip (who was using a very narrow bias indoor bowl, the Vector VS) would roll it down the string to steal the shot. However Bennett and Paul persevered, and on the final end they were trailing by 4 shots. When Paul came to bowl the final bowl Bennett and Paul were laying 3 shots and needed one more to draw the game. Paul went for the glory shot, it looked good, but it was a bowls width wide, catching the opponents bowl and promoting it to the shot. Final score 4 – 9.

Bennett and Paul ended up 5th in the competition, but for a couple bad breaks they could easily have won the Competition. They both did the Howie proud and are to be congratulated for a really excellent performance.

Paul Sharp partnered with Tom Brown won the American Tournament held on the 25th June.

Sadly George Gallacher, who has been involved with the Visually Impaired group from its inception in October 2016, as coach, their contact with VI Scotland, and representative on the Howie Committee, has decided the time is right to step down.

Fondly remembered for his unwavering support, his ever presence at their sessions, and for his jokes (some were even funny!), he will be sorely missed. Happy retirement, George!

Our Visually Impaired bowlers have now decamped to the Ayr Indoor Bowling Club. The VI bowlers, Bennett Ward, Chris Skinner, Paul Sharp, John McKay and Bobby Ferguson meet up each Wednesday and Friday, with two sighted helpers – Peter Conway, Bennett’s brother-in-law, and Isobel Skinner, Chris’s wife, acting as Directors. Rinks are drawn at random, making sure that the two sighted players are in opposite sides to guide their team mates.

On 7th January, Bennett, Peter, and Paul took an early lead over John, Isobel and Chris, holding this lead until the final stages, when they were dramatically pulled back, and eventually settling for a 9-9 share of the spoils!

The 14th January, encounter saw John McKay, Bennett Ward and Peter Conway run out convincing winners 16-3 over Isobel, husband Chris, and Paul. John showed the value of excellent leading, which prevented the opposition from scoring until the very last end.

An exciting VI match on 21st January saw John, Bennett and Isobel taking on Peter, Chris and Paul. It finished 5-5 and a “no shot” was declared at the final end between John’s and Paul’s bowls. Talk about a tight match!

On the 28th January, Peter, Paul and (no, not Mary but Bennett!) left their opponents ‘blowing in the wind’ demolishing John, Chris and Isobel 16-3. In truth, it could have been worse as they were often lying 5 or 6 shots before a saving bowl came in.

On 4th February, it was a Pairs (Chris Skinner and Peter Conway) v Triples (Bennett award, Isobel Skinner and Paul Sharp). Peter and Chris got off to a strong start and were leading 13-2, when, as is often the case, they got stuck and were pulled back to 13-7 before they were saved by the session bell!

Having taken the week off before the VI Fours tournament, the league resumed on the 18th February. New member Wilson McCullagh replaced Peter Conway, and although not having played for 30 years and having wide swinging bowls, played well in a team with Bennett and man of the match, Chris Skinner. So how come they were beaten 15-4? Well they were playing a team of four – John McKay, Isobel Skinner, Paul Sharp and Lady Luck. Well, that’s Bennett’s story anyway!

COVID wreaked havoc before the match on the 25th February with both Bennett and Peter testing positive earlier in the week. But Isobel took charge teaming up with Paul and Wilson against the pairing of John and Chris, recording a 12-9 win in a close fought and enjoyable encounter.

With Bennett still isolating and Paul Sharp on holiday, the match on 4th March was a Pairs, with Isobel and John winning 13-2 against Chris and Wilson.

With Paul in Benidorm, 11th March was a four v three with Bennett, Wilson, John and Peter winning 15-7 over Isobel, Chris and new helper Colin Carmichael. After taking a 12-0 lead, the four faltered and were pegged back to 12-7, before regaining their composure and closing out their win with two hard fought final ends.

18th March saw a fun game of Triples with Bennett, John and Peter finishing strongly to secure a 9-2 win over Paul, Wilson and Colin.

24th March saw a real tanking for Bennett, Chris and Isobel losing by an incredible 26 shots! Well done to the pairing of Paul and Peter.

April Fools Day saw the joke played on a strong team line up of Bennett, John, Paul and Colin who lost 10-4 to Chris, Isobel, Peter and Wilson. A fine win!

In the penultimate session on 8th April before the move to outdoors, Bennett and Peter romped home 16-2 against John, Colin and Paul. The first four ends were tight with honours even at 2-2 but then the floodgates opened. It is all set for a thrilling finale with Bennett and John tied on 17 points and Paul lurking on 14, knowing that a 4 shot victory over John could give him the title.

In their league match before moving outdoors the winner was decided in an exciting finale when Paul Sharp won by a single shot from Bennett Ward and John McKay, after all three had tied in the number of points earned in the 14 match campaign. This win was in no small measure due to Paul’s outstanding draw to the jack through the narrowest of gaps towards the end of his final game.

VIS INDOOR LEAGUE 2022 FINAL STANDINGS

		Won	Drew	Lost	Pts
BENNETT WARD	12	5	2	5	17
SHOTS	+2	0
TOTAL			SHOTS	+2
CHRIS SKINNER	11	2	2	7	8
SHOTS	– 73
TOTAL			SHOTS	-79
ISOBEL SKINNER	11	4	2	5	14
SHOTS					-35
TOTAL			SHOTS	-41
JOHN McKAY	12	5	2	5	17
SHOTS					+10
			SHOTS	+10
PAUL SHARP	12	5	2	5	17
SHOTS					+11
TOTAL				+11
PETER CONWAY	10	8	2	0	26
SHOTS					+89
WILSON MCCULLAGH	5	3	0	3	12
				-8
SHOTS					-12

3 POINTS FOR A WIN

1 POINT FOR A DRAW

ALL GAMES BAR ONE COUNT TOWARD FINAL SCORE (e.g. if total games played is 17 then the first 16 games played count to final total)

The lads were in competitive action on 12th February at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club when they took on around 10 teams of the very best visually impaired bowlers from all over Scotland in a long standing Fours event. As a measure of the standard, one has competed in the Commonwealth games as a former sighted bowler.

The Visually Impaired bowlers won one out of their three games losing only to the eventual runners up Abbeyview and third placed Three Towns. Their win came in the final game against East Kilbride when an inspired bowl from skip Paul Sharp pushed out their opponent’s shot bowl which was inches from the jack to take the tie 5-4.

The club have registered their name for national competitions as Ayr Indoor and Howie Visually Impaired Bowling Club (AIHVIBC),

2020/2021

Visually impaired bowlers using string to guide their bowls.

2019

n Saturday 14th March 2019. our Visually Impaired bowlers were in competitive action at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club, with lead John McKay, 2nd Bennett Ward, 3rd Paul Sharp and skip, “guest star” Sharon Moncrieff from Cumbernauld as a last minute replacement.

They won their first game against Abbeyview, 10-6, but lost to eventual tournament winners Renfrew 18-3. Their third game saw them lose 13-4 to C & Kelvin.

P1020030 — John, Bennett, Sharon and Paul

P1020031 — John McKay, Bennett Ward and Paul Sharp

The Visually Impaired club is growing from strength to strength and now boasts 7 members. If you know of any visually impaired person looking to learn a new skill and to make new friends, the club meet at the Ambassador every Wednesday at one o’clock.

On Saturday, 7th December 2019 , four of our blind bowlers cmpeted in a national Balloted Pairs Competition at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club. This prestigious event is held in Glasgow every December and attracts visually impaired bowlers from as far as Aberdeen and the Borders. While there is an atmosphere of Christmas goodwill in the air, be assured that it IS competitive!

Joining “old hands” Bennett Ward and John McKay, were new members Paul Sharp and Chris Skinner and Directors, George Gallacher, Jim Johnstone and Isobel Skinner.

What do W G Grace and Bennett Ward have in common? There is a clue in the Bowling Factoids page, if you want to give yourself a clue.

The answer? Both have represented their country at bowls and another sport. WG’s other sport was (of course) cricket. Bennett’s other sport is golf. And he was one of the successful Scottish blind bowlers who took on and defeated the mighty England 10.5 to 9.5 in a Ryder Cup type format, and on their own patch!

John McKay beat Bennett in the Visually Impaired Singles Championship 7-5 in a high quality 8 end final. They were tied 5-5 with John just winning out in a pulsating last end.

John also won the VI Pairs with Colin Carmichael as his visual partner. Maybe John will be our next internationalist!

Our brave band of blind bowlers are meeting every week on Fridays at one o’clock at the Ambassador Indoor Bowling Club.

If you fancy having a go, email us at prestwickhowiebowlingclub@gmail.com