New Pitsligo pair Davie Alexander and Andrew Michie had a shock win against Northern’s defending champions Neil McIntosh and Craig Burnett, from Westhill, in the first round of the City of Aberdeen bowling tournament men’s pairs at Westburn Park.
Alexander’s tale is an inspiration after he was told he had cancer.
He said: “I wasn’t that well this time last year and had to settle for being a spectator and I didn’t really think that I would be here to take part this year.
“I am now in remission and have to go back in three months but the treatment has worked fine and I am feeling good.
“I would like to thank everyone in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for looking after me so well. I couldn’t have asked for better treatment and, of course, all my friends in New Pitsligo who have been so supportive over the last 12 months.
“It wasn’t good news for a start, so I got married in the hospital last year to my fiance Christine Buchan, as she was then, but now we’re enjoying our married life together with my 11-year-old son, Reese.”
Reflecting on yesterday’s 12-8 triumph, the 51-year-old bricklayer added: “My pairs partner Andy Michie and I managed to beat the champions in a very tight game. In the next round we play father-and-son Ian and Phil Anderson and that will also be a tough one.”
Alexander completed a memorable day when he reached the quarter-finals of the men’s singles competition with a 21-14 victory over Stephen Gordon, from Kinnoull.
Defending champion David Mitchell, from Macduff, progressed with a 21-12 win over Westhill’s Michael Carr.
Meanwhile, reigning women’s singles champion Margaret Duthie, from Abergeldie, progressed to the second round when she defeated 2007 champion, Scotland indoor international Carol Stuart, from Aberchirder, 21-16.