Postal’s excellent campaign in Division 2 of the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League has already guaranteed them an immediate return to Division 1 and they may yet be promoted as champions.
Read MoreThis weeks 9-0 victory away to Colinton was a fabulous triumph over the former Water of Leith stalwarts and sets Postal up for the climax visit of relegation doomed Willowbrae.
Hot Pot favourites Carrick Knowe have made the expected recovery from a sluggish start and sit top of the table; but their single point lead is vulnerable going into the 14th and final round of fixtures.
Carrick Knowe kept Postal at bay with a 9-0 win at home to foot of the table Pilrig; but is yet to record a clean-sweep away from home and visit a Hillside team that has scored well on its own patch.
Craigentinny’s early clinching of a record extending 10th title triumph in Division 1 reflected a stronger than normal early season killer instinct but having left all challengers struggling in their slipstream have dawdled in front.
A foot off the accelerator performance at home to Maitland in this week’s penultimate fixture saw them suffer a shock 5-4 defeat that cost the champions their 100percent record. Brian Higgins – recovering from the trauma of letting the Scottish Seniors Singles Crown slip from his grip – inspired Maitland with a 21-12 win over Andy Caldwell while Alan Sharpe eclipsed Willie McDonald, 15-10.
Maitland now sit a distant second with Parkside just a half point away in third; but both surprisingly so after Queensberry tumbled down to fourth having crashed 9-0 away to foot of the table Brunstane.
Setting up a nail-biting climax in the relegation zone with Brunstane (43) at home to Tanfield (43); and Summerside(45) away to Maitland (67).
Sighthill have yet to clinch the Division 3 title but their super 9-0 win at home to relegation candidates Dudley gives them a 7 point lead over a Bainfield team (76) whose 9-0 win at home to Leith saw them leapfrog Corstorphine (71½).
Slateford’s expected promotion from Division 4 has yet to be clinched as the former Water of Leith giants sit in second place- 4 points adrift of Dean and 5 ahead of Merchiston. Slateford are in strong final fixture position at home to foot of the table Blackhall while Dean visit Currie and Merchiston visit London Road Foundry.
The continued absence of Brian Higgins – the Scottish Seniors Singles finalist and ace mainstream EBL Division 1 skip with second from top Maitland – from the E&L 5 rink Matt Purdie team is a puzzle to many. E&L have lost 3 of the 4 section games played to this and this Monday entertain West Lothian at Wardie – the skips are BJ Smith (Hillside), Adam Brock (Bainfield), Frank Welsh (Mayfield), Frank O’Reilly (Queensberry), Adam Melrose (Sighthill).
The five skips being fielded by joint leaders West Lothian are; Colin Stein (Linlithgow), Raymond Reid (Queensferry), Bob Mackay (Armadale), Jim Hannah (Whitburn), Gordon Logan (Kirkliston).
Craigentinny and Maitland are the host venue for tomorrow’s (Sunday) semi finals of the E&L Top Five Singles Championship at 2pm. Its Maitland v Tanfield at Craigentiiny and Goldenacre v Bainfield at Sighthill. Qrt Final Results: Maitland 3 Carrick Knowe 2; Wardie 1 Tanfield 3; Goldenacre 3 West End 2; Bainfield 4 Fountain Brewery 1.