The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Competing pregnant is child’s play
Bowls: Joanne eyes mixed pairs run
Joanne Stewart was just edged out in her City of Aberdeen bowls tournament women’s singles match at Westburn Park, Aberdeen, yesterday but the 23-year-old from Aberchirder could just as easily have been quarter of a mile up the road at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s maternity unit.
The first child of Joanne, who was beaten 21-19 by Banchory’s Christine Donaldson in a firstround match, and her partner Kevin Beaton was due yesterday but after winning their pairs tie on Tuesday night the expectant mum was back on the greens bright and breezy for the singles competition.
She said: “I am more than happy to be playing bowls while I still can this week.
“It was a very close game against Christine, the 2003 cham-pion.
“It was close all the way. I took a three in the second last end to close to 20-19 but she took the last shot to win.
“I am still in the mixed pairs competition with Kevin and we play the semi-final on Friday night, hopefully I will still be around to partner him.
“The way it has worked I am just as well here playing bowls this week just a few hundred yards from the maternity hospital.
“If I was at home it could be a bit tricky as it would take me about an hour and a half to come in from Foggie – as the road we would normally come in is closed at the Bridge of Marnoch. Obviously, I’m very excited about the arrival of our first child but as long as I was feeling fine there was never any chance of me missing out on this competition at Westburn Park. I’ve never felt better.”
Dad-to-be Kevin, 31, was also playing things equally cool and said: “I’m probably even more excited about becoming a dad, I can’t wait.
“I had no worries whatsoever about Joanne playing here this week. She hasn’t stopped, she has been playing club competitions back home in Foggie every night. In fact, three weeks ago, we were at Wick taking part in a triples competition.
“I fully intend to be there when the baby is born, whenever that turns out to be. Hopefully, it won’t be before we play our mixed pairs semi-final on Friday afternoon against Polmuir’s Kirsty Sinclair and Martyn Orchard. If not, hopefully we can win through to Saturday’s final.”