Football Legend Colin Stein was a big name casualty in this weeks second round play in the Weslo sponsored Seniors Open with the one time mainstream star from Linlithgow BC biting the dust at the 21-8 hands of Kirkliston challenger Bill Close.
Read MoreStein was joined on the sidelines by 2016 champion Stuart Smith of Ratho who failed to shine in a punishing 21-3 defeat from Brian Walker of Queensferry. Ian Greer of Newbridge edged a 21-20 thriller over Mike Forde of Kinneil while another nail biting climax saw John Collins of Middleton Hall survive a 21-20 battle with John Sweeney of Newbridge. Robert Saunders of Whitburn – the District Senior Singles Champion – powered to a 21-5 win over Ken Lawrie of Mid Calder and was joined in the Last 16 by his club-mate John Weir who defeated Dave Landles of Pumpherston, 21-17.
Play in The Weslo continues today with four head to heads down for decision at Bellsburn and four at Kirkliston. The expected tie of the round features Ian McGill of East Cakder against Norrie Alexander of Ratho at Kirkliston. The first of next week’s action in The Weslo takes place on Tuesday with all four Quarterfinal ties hosted by Mid Calder.
Two emerging teenage talents featured in the Pumpherston rink that made WLBA history by capturing the £600 title of the New Age WL Council Super Fours supported by Derek Logie of Small Business Accountancy Scotland Ltd.
The inaugural champions of the restyled and reformatted Open to enter Super Fours were the rink of Andy Mitchell, Liam Thomson (13), Nathan Davies (16), and Colin Cruickshanks.
In the earlier qualifying rounds fellow teenager Aidan Davies (14) had played his part but pulled out of climax day at East Calder in order to turn out for local football team Craigshill Thistle 2003’s in their Scottish Cup fixture against opposition from Galashiels.
Mitchell (43) was drafted in to replace the 14 year old while original skip David Mackie (45) was subbed on the final day by 32 year old Cruickshanks.
The driving force and brains behind the triumphant Pumpherston campaign was their Juniors Coach Dianne Mackie who took the bold decision to enter a teenage biased rink then combined the roles of Selection and Management to such great effect.
“My guys are over the moon at entering the record book of the WLBA as history makers and becoming overnight celebrity figures whose bank books have been boosted by a winning three figure sum”, said the proud as punch Manager.
Early Round Wins over Whitburn (Peter Lynch) and East Calder (Calum Black) were followed up at East Calder with Round Robin triumphs over Armadale and Seafield then victory over Winchburgh in the semi finals and Watson Memorial in the final.
A hard fought final saw the Pumpherston rink combine their natural skills with sharp focus and strong mentality to overcome the challenge of Watson Memorial opposition in the shape of Golden Oldies, Clark Steel (70), Ian Reid (79), Norrie Engelen (79), and Eric Miller (72).
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