Daniel Gormley turned 22 year old yesterday and the rising star of the indoor bowling scene at Bainfield had extra reason to celebrate having just a few days earlier gifted himself the real chance of landing the Scottish Junior Singles Crown early in the New Year.
Read moreGormley brought much needed cheer to the Bainfield faithful by carrying the club banner through to the semi final stage of the national championship at Fraserburgh on Saturday 31st January as a result of four impressive wins in the playdown action at Abbeyview (Dunfermline) over the weekend.Chickens can’t be counted early as capturing a national crown is a melting pot situation but Gormley has strong credentials with his experience as a Premier League player of note generating extra confidence.None of the last four have achieved junior cap status suggesting the outcome is wide open with Gormley facing Stuart Wyllie of Ayr and Michael Doyle of Dundee tackling John Fleming Jnr of Inverclyde.Bainfield have prior experience of having its name etched proudly on this particular trophy but many years have passed since Colin Davidson’s triumph in 1990 was quickly followed by Alex Marshall the following year.The first representative to show in the event from The Hutchison Crossway Stadium was Johnny Wilson who lost the 1982 final to Frank McCartney of Prestwick and he was followed by Alex Marshall who lost the 1989 final to Richard Corsie.Gormley – also a rising star on the outdoor scene with Craigentinny – made an encouraging start to his campaign as he delivered a strong performance to score a 21-13 win over Liam Nicholson of Tweedbank in the prelim round.It was a close call in the first round proper though and there was sweat on the Gormley brow as his clash with Alistair McKenney of Glasgow went right down to the wire before the Bainfield challenger edged a 21-20 victory.Gormley came back to the Fife venue on Sunday morning an delivered another sound performance to beat Lee Mair of Elgin 21-16 to set up a quarterfinal clash against Jason Banks of Garioch.Banks had seen off West Lothian IBC challenger Connor McKendrick, 21-5, in the first round but was unable to get the measure of Gormley who played like a man on a mission to win, 21-16, in good style.Meanwhile, McKendrick had promised much with a commanding 21-6 win over Mark Aitchison of Forfar in the prelim round but Stuart Ford of Balbardie crashed out to a 21-7 defeat from Lee Mair and East Lothian hopeful Calvert Allison was sidelined by a 21-12 defeat from Jason Banks.There was however ripples of excitement caused by Midlothian challenger Jamie Macnab who launched his campaign in spectacular style although it was at the 21-2 misfortune of the luckless Ryan Craig of Alloa in the first round proper,Macnab also produced a strong performance in the second round to score a 21-13 win over Raymond Clark of Fraserburgh; but met his match in the shape of a 21-17 defeat from Michael Doyle of Dundee.