IT was a triumphant return to the top for Kilmaurs YFC when the club won the Wiseman Crystal Thistle for the best performance at the West Region Talent Spot, marking the second time the club has won the final in the competition’s 50-year history.

A total of nine teams put on a 10-minute show during the final at the full-to-bursting SEC Armadillo, in Glasgow, on Saturday night, after a rousing opening act from members of Mauchline YFC’s anniversary concert, with more than 70 past and present club members singing and dancing on stage. 

With the evening chaired by West chairman, Andy Ireland, it was the second team on stage that proved hard to beat when Kilmaurs treated the crowds to ‘A right royal stag do’, following Prince Harry’s pre-wedding night out in Las Vegas. The high-paced sketch showed chaos ensue when The Queen showed up to flirt with Elvis ‘The King’ Presley, Prince William lost his clothes taking part in a magic show and two stags got caught out by their ‘fellas in disguise’ drag acts. Produced by Robert Dykes and choreographed by Joanne Cuthbertson, Kilmaurs YFC secured first place with 82 2/3 points, ticking many of the boxes described by one of the judges, John Kinloch, during his speech. 

“We were looking most of all to be entertained as half the marks, 50 out of 100, go towards entertainment. We also wanted a good story line or theme, plus quality singing that was in tune,” said Mr Kinloch, adding he, together with fellow judges, Miss Amanda Letarte and David Scott, were looking at teams who danced well together with choreography that suited the whole team, not just the higher end of dancers. 

The Scottish Farmer:

     Mauchline YFC

The next act on stage, Carluke YFC, picked up second place with 77 1/3 points awarded to ‘If you ain’t fast you’re last’, the story of two Nascar drivers, Jimbo Johnson and Aldo Bonks, fighting for the heart of one of the grid girls. This was produced by Duncan Hodge and Mhairi Lake, with Mhairi also on choreographer duties, and saw the cast give an excellent rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, among others. 
There was further success for the club’s Alan Bankier when he was deemed reserve individual act for his portrayal of French racer, Aldo Bonks.

The Scottish Farmer:

        Biggar YFC came third

Not far behind with 75 points on the board was the wildcard entry – which was independently judged from the best of the rest at district eliminations – from Biggar YFC. There were great costumes to the fore of ‘Preshysteric’, which followed cave men and was produced by Shona Simpson, Maggie Simpson and Darrell Hamilton, and choreographed by Emma Hendrie. 

The Scottish Farmer:

       Best act - Stuart Rankin and Luke MacDonald, SSS YFC

Picking up the Sandilands Salver for best act were Stuart Rankin and Luke MacDonald, a singing and dancing duo from Stirling, Strathendrick and Strathkelvin YFC’s ‘Fringe Binge’.

The Scottish Farmer:

       Front of curtain winners  - Mauchline YFC

The front of curtain competition proved popular in keeping the crowd entertained during the breaks in performances. The four acts featured some top singing this year but it was one with a comedy element that won the audience-judged competition when Mauchline YFC’s Fiona Gemmell sang Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Total eclipse of the heart’ while, topless and wearing tutus, Alistair Middleton and David Howatt danced together while balancing a beach ball between them.