There was joy for the Scotland Under 18 team who travelled to Newport last weekend as they defended the British Isles title they won last year with a team containing three East Lothian players in the shape of Lewis Betts, Danny Stevenson and Robbie Shields and managed by Scott Kennedy.
Read More
This year the team collected a record haul of medals for Scotland with two golds, two silvers, a bronze and team gold. First to seal a gold were the pair of Robbie Shields and Bradley Buchan (Fraserburgh) who defeated fellow Scots Rebecca Houston (Prestwick) and Lewis Betts in a tie-break. Next up was a victory in the triples over Wales, also in a tie-break for Callum Musik (Stirling), Finlay Gowan (Turriff) and skip Danny Stevenson who produced last bowl heroics to draw within inches to clinch the gold. There was heartbreak in the singles for Lewis Betts who lost out on a tie break despite dominating his Welsh opponent over the entirety of the game and had to settle for a second silver. Danny and his rink of Calum, Finlay and Rebecca saw off their teammates to clinch bronze in the fours. All of this helping Scotland dominate the overall standings and clinch team gold for a second successive year cheered on by a large travelling support.
Danny is in action again this Sunday when he takes part in the Scottish Masters play-offs aiming to secure a place in the televised final.
The Gent’s team began their Premier League with an excellent 25 shot win away to debutants Abbeyview last week. There were 10 shot wins for the rinks of Alex Marshall MBE and Derek Oliver, ably backed up by an 8 shot win for captain Stuart Thomson while Joe Mowers rink lost narrowly by 3 shots. The team now face an acid test to their title credentials as they face the holders Blantyre at the Alex Marshall Arena this Saturday in a repeat of last year’s final. The following team has been selected: Mark Yuill, Kevin Cunningham, Ewan Fallen & Alex Marshall MBE (Skip) Andy Jeffrey, Graham Robertson, Stuart Thomson (Captain) & Scott Kennedy (Skip) Mark Johnston, Dean Riva, Joe Mower & Billy Mellors (Skip) Lewis Betts, David Sked, Jamie Higgins & Derek Oliver (Skip) Reserves: Alex Cormack, Calum Darling, Chris Brock, Lessel Middler, Kieran Simmants and Steven Morgan
The ladies side got their national league campaign back on track after their opening defeat with a home victory over Abbeyview by 67 shots to 44 last Saturday. Dee Hoggan led the way, skipping her rink to a 13 shot win and was supported by the rinks of Lauren Baillie and Janet Fairnie with 8 and 2 shot wins respectively. The following team has been selected by Convenor Gordon Pryde as the ladies aim to produce a second win in a potentially tough trip to Methil to face East Fife this Saturday: Margaret Murray, Kim Hoggan, Megan Kivlin & Dee Hogan (Skip) Melissa Penman, Jean Russell, Mags Thomson & Janet Fairnie (Skip) Jacky McFarlane, Arlene Berwick, Gillian Mackintosh & Lauren Baillie (Skip) Reserves: Beth Riva & Pat Turner
The East Lothian Gents Senior Team entertained Balbardie last Wednesday for their 3rd game of this year’s campaign and maintained their unbeaten record with a highly impressive 96-40 victory which does their shots bank no end of good. From the start the East Lothian Auld Yins had their foot on the gas and after 5 ends already held a comprehensive 32-9 lead which they only improved on throughout the game to runaway to their 56 shot win. All rinks won with W W Wood MBE top of the shots winning 33-6, Dougie Berwick won 19-7, Alastair Russell recorded a 23-12 victory and Tommy Young weighed in with a 21-15 success. This Wednesday the team travel to Dalkeith to play an undefeated Midlothian team in what should be a tough and entertaining local derby which could go a long way to deciding the section winner. There are two changes to the team with Duncan Hogg and George Smith coming in for B J Smith and Ronnie Douglas.
Finally there was an error in last week’s report as ladies Club Champion Janet Fairnie does not take part in the National Singles until Saturday 27th October in Glasgow, opening up against Coatbridge.