East Lothian 6/5

It was great satisfaction for the Tranent selectors that their team held supremacy on all three rinks with Brian Young beating Stevie Greenan, Graham Robertson beating Reece Cochrane and John McCrorie beating Ross Marwick. Tranent’s neighbour EL-Coop have also started the season in tremendous fashion and their second consecutive 8-0 win, this time Elphinstone the victims, has seen them amass sixteen out of sixteen points and are the early season table toppers. Haddington are in third place and three points off the pacesetters following their hard fought 7-1 home win over Cockenzie & Port Seton while Gifford used home advantage to good effect and enjoyed a 7-1 success over West Barns. Castlepark added to East Linton early season woes as they headed back down the A1 with an 8-0 triumph in the bag. Despite being held to a 4-4 share of spoils at home against Tranent A, Haddington A still remain in pole position in Division 2 but were joined on the 12-point mark by Aberlady following their excellent 6-2 away win at EL-Coop A. Athelstaneford’s 7-1 home win over Macmerry saw them move to the head of affairs in Division 3 while East Lothian Labour moved up to second and a point off the summit after their 8-0 home win over Wallyford. A number of games were postponed in Division 4 due to waterlogged greens but in the games that did go ahead it was Haddington B who were the main movers and went seven points clear at the top following their terrific 7-1 away win at Prestongrange A.

The action in Division 1 continues tomorrow (Friday) night and early season leaders EL-Coop make the trip up the A1 to tackle a struggling West Barns side who are still searching for their first win of the campaign but will have home advantage for the first time. A cracking encounter looks in prospect at Polson Park when Tranent play host to Cockenzie & Port Seton while third place Haddington face their first away fixture of the season when they visit Castlepark. Elphinstone welcome an Alex Marshall MBE led Gifford side while East Linton will hope home advantage can get them a positive result over Prestongrange.

All club secretaries are requested to ensure that all league and cup results, including shots aggregate score, are phoned into ELBA Match Secretary Keith Fender on 01620 860217 or via text message 07786 110416 immediately after each match. Meanwhile ELBA would like to remind all clubs that the first four games of the season must commence at 6.30pm with games returning to the normal start time of 6.45pm from Friday May 20.

Turning attention to the up and coming Scottish Counties Championship campaign and newly appointed team manager Stewart Johnston has named the side that will start the East section qualifying campaign against Edinburgh & Leith at Currie BC on Saturday May 14. The side reads: – R. Thomson (ELCO), D. Berwick (Gaff), J. Mower (Had), B. Mellors (Had) skip C. Johnston (Orme), M. McCormack (Win), G. Blair (Had), S.Kennedy (C&PS) skip G.White (Aber), J.Gordon (C&PS), S.Greenan (PG), J.McCrorie (Tra) skip M.Osborne (Tra), B.Cormack (Mac), B.Dunleavey (Aber), B.Young (Tra) skip S.Thomson (Hadd), C.McLeod (Win), A.Kennedy (Hadd), A.Marshall MBE (Giff) skip S.White (ELCO, G.Baillie (C&PS), T.Young (Dun), C.Valentine (C&PS) skip

Team manager Johnston has decided not to name any reserves but has intimated that every player nominated by their respective club is a reserve will be considered for selection as the campaign goes on. He has also emphasised that it will be approximately a 30-man squad for the campaign in general and players not selected for the first game may still be given a chance in later games. Any player selected for the opening game and cannot play is requested to contact Stewart immediately on 07939 700720.

The first silverware of the ELBA domestic season will be won on Saturday as the finals day of the ELBA Trophy takes centre stage. The semi-finals get underway at 12.30pm then the successful sides will battle again at 3pm. The semi-final ties take place at Polson Park and EL-Coop BC respectively with the latter club hosting the grand finale.

You can now keep up-to-date with all that is happening on the outdoor bowling scene in the garden county by following the website by East Lothian Bowling Association. All bowlers are urged to view by clicking on www.eastlothianbowls.com

Finally, officials at East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club have confirmed that the club will remain open during the summer months. A hat game will be staged every Tuesday from 12 noon to 2pm and members along with non-members are all welcome to come along.