There are double celebrations presently in the Macnab household at Oxgangs with brothers Jack and Jamie bringing home silverware as reward for their respective achievements in winning the Under 17’s and Under 25’s singles championships at the Midlothian IBC.
Jack was recently lauded as being ‘one for the future’ by the BBC sports commentators reacting to the 15year old’s prowess when winning the prestigious Scottish Young Masters title in front of the camera’s at the Dewar Stadium at Perth. The teenager -–who attends Kirkhill School – has since built on that Masters moment of magic by forcing himself to the fore at the Dalkeith Stadium leading to his debut in the mainstream premier league.
The final of the stadium’s Under 17’s singles pitched the Scottish Master against another promising local talent in the shape of Lorna Goldsmith producing a thrilling 21-end battle that resulted in a 21-16 victory for Macnab. “I was leading 18-16 so in the driving seat but the outcome was really hanging in the balance until I managed to capture the title with a 1, 2 finish to 21”.
Meanwhile older brother Jamie – who has become an established figure in the mainstream of the sport at Midlothian IBC – entered the final of the Under25’s singles expecting it to be a tough encounter against the talented Mark Yuill. But it didn’t happen for Yuill who failed to cope with the skills and competitive energy of his opponent and only managed to count on three of the 16-ends as Macnab stormed to an impressive 21-5 victory. “My brother and I tossed a coin to see who would have to keep our cups polished at home–- and guess what our Mum Won”, said the 23-year old Macnab.
It was way back in 1980 when Lindsey Plenderleith skipped his Coldsream partner to a shock win over Kirkliston -–ok Stewart Meikle and Raymond Logan – in the final of The Scottish Pairs at Queens Park and the now Bonnyrigg outdoor star is still parading his skills to good effect. The Plenderleith name is back in lights on this occasion as the Seniors Singles Champion of Midlothian IBC having conjured up a magic spell of 1, 3, (1), 1, 1 finish from 15-12 to beat Alex Cox 21-13 in a 21-end final.
The final of the Ladies Seniors title saw Annette Wilson hold all the aces in a 15-end encounter to turn at trumps at the 21-5 expense of a luckless Carol Muirhead.