HEADWELL bowlers Pamela Mitchell and Darryl Stewart produced a memorable double at a national competition recently.

They were in action at the SIBA (Scottish Indoor Bowling Association) and Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) National Para Championships in Falkirk and were crowned champions in the ladies’ and gents’ categories.

After a 19-1 win in her opener, Mitchell progressed to the final with a more emphatic 21-1 win before winning the decider 15-3, while Stewart – after three victories en-route – overcame East Fife’s Craig Donaldson in his showpiece game by two shots.

Meanwhile, having been promoted to the SIBA Division One North last season, Headwell’s gents’ league side found the going tough but just managed to avoid an immediate return to Division Two (East).

After opening with four defeats, they ended their losing streak in the final match of the first round of fixtures against Turriff before edging out Abbeyview, but two more losses meant they needed results to go their way in their final two games.

After beating Arbroath 87-78, a three-shot win at Turriff – coupled with Arbroath defeating Abbeyview – was enough to send Turriff down and ensure Division One bowls for Headwell next season.

They took encouragement from survival into their Scottish Knockout Cup campaign where, after seeing off Garioch and Dundee, they faced Premier Division Blantyre in the last eight but despite a good performance, they were edged out 6-4.

There were mixed fortunes for Headwell’s ladies’ team, who won all four home games but were winless on the road. Despite that, they achieved a good final placing of second over runaway winners Bainfield, and had the distinction of being the only team to defeat the champions during the season.

In National events, Sadie Philip and Lena Cook progressed to the quarter-finals of the senior pairs, while the four of Sadie Philp, Pamela Mitchell, Claire Ewing and Sarah Ewing made the semi-finals held in Aberdeen.

In qualification, the quartet racked up victories against Cumbernauld 24-14, Falkirk 28-9 and East Fife 17-16 but, unfortunately, their title dreams ended in a local derby with a 22-13 defeat at the hands of Abbeyview.

The senior gents were unable to emulate the other successes enjoyed by the club this season after finding the going extremely tough in the East, Section A league, with only two wins from 10 matches played during the season.

These victories both came at home, against Fintry and East Fife.