West Lothian 1/9

The opening spotlight will focus on Stuart Smith of Ratho with the reigning champion back in the picture and facing a challenge from his club mate Norrie Alexander in what is an intriguing semi final rerun of the 2015 final. Smith booked his place in the Last Four line up with a 21-15 win over Mike Forde of Kinneil in Tuesday’s quarterfinals at East Calder having made a strong start to lead 12-5 then answering pressure at 12-10 with a run of 3, 1, 2 to 18 and going on to clinch victory in 22-ends. Alexander made it a disappointing day for Kinneil with his 21-15 win over Hugh McKenna; but it was a roller coaster experience having led 18-5 before suffering a mighty wobble to 18-15 then hitting 21 with a 3 on end 23.

The other semi final features ex national triples finalist Jack McLaren –then of Fauldhouse – carrying the host club banner into action against recent WL Masters semi finalist Bob Mackay of Armadale. McLaren brought further gloom to the town of Bo’ness with his 21-13 win over Ronnie Duff of Bridgeness having added 1, 2, 2, 3, 1 to lead 15-5 then at 17-13 confirmed his domination with a 3, 1 finish. Mackay forged a strong partnership with ‘the white’ in his match against Jim Paterson of Harrysmuir and his strong spirited display produced a runaway 21-1 win over his luckless opponent. The semi finals swing into action at 11am with the final following at 2pm.

Armadale star Bob Mackay turned in several ace performances to turn up trumps in the West Lothian Seniors Champion of Champions staged at Winchburgh and sponsored by the host club.

Mackay survived an epic 26-end battle in the final to capture the title at the 21-18 expense of his Whitburn counterpart Blair Stewart having defeated Mick Whelen of Blackburn in the semis and Jim Anderson of Stoneyburn in the quarters.

Stewart moved on from 11-11 to gain a 14-11 edge in the final and still had his nose in front at 16-15; but peels were called at 18-18 then Mackay emerged from that melting pot to claim the crown with a sizzling 2, 1 finish.

Mackay had flashed strong signals of intent in his semi final where he accelerated from 8-8 to 21 with a run of 4, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1. His quarterfinal performance was highlighted his carding a 4 on end 19 to beat Jim Anderson of Stoneyburn, 21-13.

Meanwhile Stewart looked to be the man in form having zipped from 8-11 to 21 with a lightening run of 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1 to stitch up former champ Gordon Logan of Kirkliston in the quarters then adding the 21-12 scalp of host club icon figure Ronnie Erskine in the semis.

Erskine had defeated Jim Paterson of Harrysmuir, 21-11 in his quarterfinal while at the same stage Mike Whelen accounted 21-14 for John Jamieson of Mid Calder.

Kirkliston turned on the style and power in the final of the WLBA Top Five Singles played at Livingston venue Bankton Mains and claimed the stars of Glenmavis, Bathgate, as their 3-0 victims. Kirkliston were bidding to extend their record number of title wins to 14 and the victory salute from The Cheesetown Boys was triggered by the hat trick of triumphs delivered by Neil Speirs, Calum Logan, and Grant Logan

Speirs expected to get it tough against Sandy McDougall; but the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal hero served up an explosive performance to blitz his opponent, 21-5, in 17 ends having lit the fuse with a lead of 8-1. Logan (Calum) also raced out of the blocks with a powerful start to lead David Ross, 13-5, after nine ends then having come under pressure at 13-12 stormed to a 21-12 victory with a whirlwind run of 1, 3, 1, 1, 2.

Logan (Grant) against Brian Craig was an interesting clash of WL Masters and it was the Kirkliston challenger that made the early running to lead 12-4; but was closed to 12-9 before engaging a higher gear that accelerated him to a 21-14 win in 21 ends. With the destination of the title well and truly wrapped up the unfinished business saw Mark Allison leading Walter McDougall, 20-16, and Steven Forrest also in sight of the winning line at 17-13 up on Tam Whitfield.