Edinburgh & Leith Bowling Association start the build up to the 2018 Scottish Cities and Counties Championship with a trial match at Sighthill on Saturday 5th May for which joint team managers Duncan McLaren and Ricky Rutherford have selected a pool of 42 players.
Read MoreCraigentinny – the Champion Division 1 club of the Edinburgh Bowling League have three of their star players on parade in the shape of Gordon Bold, Daniel Gormley, and Scott Rogers while the host club have four hopefuls in John McDermott, Ross Noble, Graeme Eddington, and Stuart Isbister.
Carrick Knowe the reigning Scottish Inter County Top Ten Champions – have the strongest representation with 8 players hoping to find favour in the starting line up of 24, they are Stephen Pringle, Colin Tough, Stuart Campbell, Darren Hush, James Hogg, John Ramsay, Richard Tough, and Kevin Tennant. Paul ODonnell of Carrick Knowe is a major absentee figure and is understood to be unavailable to commit to the campaign also missing from last seasons final match line up are Lewis Betts, Euan Craig, Ross Byers, and Greg Smith.
Holder Grant Logan of Kirkliston a 4 times WL Master is attempting to win the prestigious Sighthill Open Singles for a third time on Sunday May 6 and entries to the Belhaven Best sponsored event should be made to the club by Tuesday May 1st.
New recruits Whitehouse & Grange make their debut in the Gifted of Stockbridge EBL Ladies Cup at home to Brunstane while Goldenacre the defending champions face a stern test in a first round visit from Willowbrae. Craigentinny v Summerside and Bainfield v Carrick Knowe are other first round eye-catchers.
West Lothian Bowling Association launch their inaugural Presidents Dinner on Friday 27th April at Whitburn BC and because it matters to the bowlers of the county it matters to Headline Sponsor Digby Brown. Attracting investment from Scotlands leading Personal Injury firm of solicitors is a major achievement by WLBA with the high profile sponsor delighted at the opportunity to promote their no win no fee services in support of a gold medal sport. Digby Brown do have a strong WLBA connection with Partner Gordon Dalyell the son of the late MP Tam Dalyell who served the local association for many years as an Honorary President; and The Dalyell Shield is competed for annually as the County Pairs Championship. The main speaker at the Dinner is Mike Wheatley who happens to be Gordons uncle while bowls legend David McGill, football legend Colin Stein, and Provost Tom Kerr also feature as notable contributors.
Prizes to the value of £1000 is the rich rewards offered by Ratho BC in their annual early season staging of the 2Bowl Open Pairs event sponsored by Belhaven Brewers and played on Saturday 5th of May.This tournament is the perfect opportunity for the competitive minded bowler in West Lothian and further a field to blow away the cobwebs of winter hibernation and set themselves up for a flying start the busy calendar that lies ahead, said spokesman Frank Dowling, Entry closes on Tuesday 1st of May and should be made by contacting the club on 031- 333 2511 or by email to rathobc@btinternet.co
Billy Mellors bid to capture the WIBC version of the World Singles Championship at Hartlepool last week ended in disappointment with the East Lothian ace making a quarterfinal exit Englands Andy Squires.
Willie Wood MBE is celebrating a career first my goodness having etched his name on the silverware of the Seniors Singles Championship at East Lothian IBC, defeating 2016 king pin BJ Smith in what is described as a corker of a final.
Also in the limelight at the Alex Marshall Arena is Janet Fairnie who is absolutely thrilled at reigning as Ladies Singles Champion for a record equalling sixth time having defeated Pat Turner in the final.
East Lothians win over Perth in the final of the Jock Brodie Seniors Challenge Cup saw the host club capture the title for a 14th time in the 20 year history of the event.It was an emotional occasion with the highly talented and colourful founder of the event announcing it was to be his last competitive game for the club in a long indoor/outdoor career of magnificent highs including joining the greats as an Evening News Champion of Champions.