West Calder ace Glenn King climaxed his outdoor season on a glorious high having turned up trumps to capture the coveted host club sponsored WLBA Champion of Champions crown played over five rounds at Deans BC in Livingston.
Read MoreKing (35) – rated the No13 seed in the recent West Lothian Masters event and enjoying the impressive profile of County Singles Champion in 2017 and finalist in the 2012 WLM – signposted the richness of his talents by producing five top quality performances.
His wins over fellow club champions Steven Jenkins (Bankton Mains), Norrie McGilivray (Oakbank), Brian Saunders (Bathgate), Greg Baldry (East Calder), and George Sneddon (Broxburn) acclaimed by hugely appreciative banking and etching his name and that of West Calder on the Burnside Trophy (1977) for the first time.
The final pitched King against world stage legend and 1991 national champion George Sneddon (68) of Broxburn and the outcome of a 26 end master class from both players resulted in a thrilling 21-17 victory for King. King had hit the ground running with a full house count of 4 on the first end then raced into a 9-2 lead then when pressed at 10-8 made fresh space to 13 with a 1, 2 response.
Sneddon then raised the temperature with a sizzling spell of 3, 1, (2), 2, 1 to place the outcome in the melting pot situation of 15-15 after 21-ends and three ends later the heat remained on both finalists with King defending an 18-17 edge. The coronation of King was proclaimed two ends later having triggered the celebration of his capture of the 2018 C of C’s crown with a stunning 1, 2 finish to 21.
The semi finals action saw King pick up the pace from 11-8 in front to race to a 21-10 win over Greg Baldry in 22-ends while Sneddon built on a 10-3 lead to cross the line a 21-14 winner over Graeme Turnbull of Springgrove. King lined up his final day (Sunday) assault on the title with an impressive 21-19 win over Brian Saunders in 19-ends while Baldry impressed at the 21-13 expense of John Eveliegh (Watson Memorial); Sneddon defeated Jack Murphy (Bellsburn) 21-13 while Turnbull dealt a 21-16 exit to Stephen King of Queensferry.
The first days play (Sat) saw King finish on a double to clinch a 21-19 battle with Steven Jenkins then step up his campaign with a 21-15 win over McGilivray while Sneddon’s bid for glory started with a 21-14 second round win over fellow legend Frazer Muirhead of Uphall Station. Other highlights included the shock first round defeat of two times C of C Neil Speirs with the world stage legend making a 21-19 exit to Seafield champion Alan Baird having slipping from 14-7 up. Ewan Shearer – the record five times C of C’s – walked over against David Rodgers (Glenmavis) then bit the dust at the 21-14 hands of John Eveliegh while 1991 champion Sandy Bryant (Bridgeness) failed to make to the starting line. The climax to a 21-20 nail biter saw Whitburn champ Colin Fraser in command with leads of 17-8, 19-12, and 20-16; but piped at the post by a 1, 2, 1, 1 finish from Brian Saunders.
Alister Wilson of Linlithgow bounced back from his semi final exit in the Weslo Seniors Open to capture the lime light a couple of days later as he progressed through a field of 25 current champions to capture the West Lothian Seniors Champion of Champions title at host venue Winchburgh – defeating Josie Johnston of Bridgeness, 21-11 in the final. Wilson teed up his bid for glory with a strong semi performance to beat Norrie McGilivray of Oakbank, 21-8 while Johnston beat Drew Jenkins of Buchan Park, 21-16.
Newbridge – the WLBA Champions – lost out to Chirnside in the semi final stage of the Inter County Top Five Singles for the Andrew McKellar Trophy played at Sighthill then the Border champions lost out to defending champions Tranent of East Lothian.
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