BOWLING: Bubbly Blair thrills the crowd

Aug 12 2011 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

BUBBLY Blair Davidson, was the star of the show as he stormed to a sensational victory in the Junior Boys Singles at the Ayr Bowling Week at Northfield.

The Kilwinning 12-year-old, who suffers from autism and has had hospital treatment for Perthes Disease, wowed the bumper crowd with a superb display of bowls backed up by an engaging personality which had the spectators eating out of his hand.

“Blair bounced around the green all week, played up to the crowd and won his four knockout games 21-20 to take the title,” said tournament secretary Gordon Woods.

“Saturday morning’s semis were played in front of a crowd of around 150 which increased to about 250 when the Junior Boys Final was on and then dropped back to 150 again when it was all over. And they’d all come to watch Blair – it was incredible to see how the crowd took to the young lad.”

Blair beat Cumnock’s Ryan Currie 21-20 in an incredible final where he came from 15-2 down to 15-16.

He then slipped back again to 18-20 down with shot against him when he checked the bowl and jack for a three to win the game and send his army of fans wild with delight.

But the youngster didn’t have time to hang around and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Instead the presentation had to be made early as he was going on a holiday to Salou with dad Ally and mum Lynn and they left the complex just before three o’ clock for a mad dash to be at Prestwick Airport for 3.20pm.

Blair, who has just left St Winning’s Primary and will start at St Matthew’s after the summer, has been a junior member of Blacklands Bowling Club since he was eight, and has picked up trophies galore.

“He’s not allowed to take part in contact sports like football or rugby but, because of his autism, finds that he’s good at sports where he has to concentrate,” said Blair’s gran Jean Carswell.

“As well as being good at bowls Blair throws a mean dart and has clocked up lots of 180s. He’s quite a character, nothing gets him down and he just loves playing to the gallery and asking their opinion whenever he’s played a good shot.

“Blair was in terrific form last week and everyone took to him – in fact one group of ladies who were due to go home on Friday stayed an extra night so they could cheer him on in the final.

“That shows just what a crowd-pleaser he is.”