Tom Murray defends the men’s championship at Balerno Bowling Club on Sunday (3pm). Facing him will be Robert Douglas, his partner in the club pairs, two and four bowl competitions as well as the senior triples.
Naturally, both men know the others game inside out, but Tam is determined to lift his fourth title. Robert is equally determined to win his third, but conceded that he will have to bring his A Game to the rink if he is to lift the silverware.
Tam’s record goes back to 2006 when he beat Maxie Baigrie in the final. His next triumph was in 2018 and Kenny Melville was his opponent. Grant Wilson made it to the final last season but fell victim to Tam.
Watching rinkside on each occasion was Tam’s wife, Pat, but, for this final, there is a missing ingredient, his grandsons, Max and Rory. They live in Corstorphine, but are away at the weekend.
However, the 67-year-old Tam is focused and will take knowledge learned from lengthy chats with club legends including even-times winner, Willie Dyet, Laurie McMorran, who won the title in 1966 and 1967, plus 1977, 1979, 1982 and 1983 and two-time champion, David Lees into the game.
Is the semi-retired gardener nervous before a big game? His response: “A wee bit, but once I get on the green they go and I play the game.”
Robert, champion in 2013 and 2021, has a clear vision of what he has to do to succeed on Sunday. The self-employed window cleaner said: “Tom is formidable on his game and I am not playing as much as I used to. However, I am focused on what I am doing when I play and know what I have to do.”
Incidentally, Robert has suffered a disappointment this season. He was in the rink competition and reached the final, but was edged by Kenny Girdler and Co.
FOCUS: Tom Murray on the mat at Balerno. Picture Nigel Duncan
CLEAR VISION: Window cleaner Robert Douglas looking for a third title. Picture Nigel Duncan
