Midlothian IBC captured one national title in the Seniors Championships played at Cumbernauld with premier league star Lindsey Plenderleith skipping Tom Cropley and Richard Rattray to glory in the Triples
The strong support from the Dalkeith Stadium had hoped to cheer a double-title- celebration however the Pairs partnership of Kenny Malcolm and Alex Cox were unable to deliver the goods in the final. Midlothian faced Ardrossan in the semi final of the Triples and after seven ends Plenderleith and Co trailed 8-5 to Bill Chisholm, Martin Kostiguvs, and Neil Gillies and remained against the collar at 11-6 down after nine. The next three-ends heralded a 1, 2, 2 revival from the Midlothian trio however the loss of a single at end 13 saw the scales tipped against them at 12-11 down with just two ends to play. Plenderleith and Co hiked up the match temperature with a sizzling double to hit the front at 13-12 then a bold defence on the final end of their slender lead was rewarded by a match-clinching single to win 14-12.
The final pitched Midlothian against the Garioch trio of Jim Bruce, Charlie Ligertwood, and Bruce Middleton who had scored an impressive 16-8 win over Whiteinch in their semi final. “We made a dream start with an opening run of 3, 1. 3, 1 to lead 8-0 and it gave us the type of confidence boost that is very helpful when contesting a final”, said Plenderleith later. Midlothian pressed home their early advantage to establish a 14-3 supremacy after nine ends and although dropping a couple of 2’s and a 4 over the six end run in they were still operating in a comfort zone and triggered the victory salute with an 18-11 triumph.
Meanwhile the Pairs partnership of Malcolm and Cox produced a sparkling performance to score a commanding 20-8 win over their Galleon semi final opposition of Gilbert Trousdale and Alastair Todd. However major drama on the opening end of the final went disastrously against them as they dropped seven shots to Gordon Brown and Jim Douglas of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen remained well on top at 18-6 up after nine ends but there came a glimmer of hope for Midlothian in the shape of a 2, 1, 3 fight-back to 12 however it fizzled out with Malcolm and Cox going on to lose 24-15. Martin Murray of Glasgow captured the Singles title with a 21-18 win over Ian Murray of Turriff while Falkirk edged the Fours at the 13-12 expense of Ardrossan.