3 days ago
Blake wins sixth championship at Balerno
Anne Blake played in a Balerno Bowling Club rink skipped by Helen Girdler for several years.
The duo have also played together in major triples matches in the Capital, winning back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, once with the late Ruth Vasey and then with Margaret Turner.
What's more, the pair teamed up to win the on-off Juniper Green competition last season and Helen skipped the senior rink when they won the National title at Ayr, with Anne, Margaret and Mable Jackson.
On this occasion, Helen, 11 times champion of Balerno Bowling Club, played Anne, a winner on five occasions, in the 2025 ladies championship final in overcast conditions at Balerno's Ladycroft green in the final which was postponed a week because of bad weather.
Anne edged Helen 21-18 to take the title for the third year running, having emerged victorious in 2023 and 2024 to add to wins in 2010, 2018 and 2019.
Covid-19 prevented Anne claiming a previous treble, as the championship was not staged in 2020, but she had to dig deep on this occasion, trailing 10-2 after the seventh end.
Anne clawed her way back into the match and was only 13-11 behind after 14 ends, but Helen pulled away again to lead 18-12 after 18 ends.
However, Anne surged, winning nine shots in the next five ends by lengthening the jack.
He run started with a two at the 19th, a single at the next, and three at the 21st to level at 18-18.
She then took the 22nd with a two to move to 20-18 and within touching distance of the title and a single at the next ended the contest.
Helen's championship wins stretch back to 1999, the others were in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2021 and 2022, and she knew it would be difficult against Anne who only took up bowling in 2005.
Her CV includes a win in the Steele Trophy, awarded to the Champion of Champions, in Edinburgh and she now represents the Balerno club in this year's competition.
PRESENTATION TIME: Anne Blake receives the silverware from Brian Buckner, president of Balerno Bowling Club. Picture Philip Marshall
BEFORE THE FINAL: Helen Girdler (left) and Anne Blake. Picture by Philip Marshall
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