Idling in front invites being piped at the post but there seems little danger of title favourites Craigentinny being punished for an uncharacteristic 7-2 defeat at home to Maitland in Division 1 of the Alpha Trophies sponsored Edinburgh Bowling League.
Read MoreMaitland are a good value team able enough to live with the best but inflicting such a defeat on the defending and record eight times champions on their own turf is an exceptionally meritorious performance.
Whilst losing at home is a rare occurrence for the EBLs most celebrated club this weeks setback – on top of dropping home points to relegation zoned Tanfield the previous week still leaves the league leaders an awesome 13 points ahead of the pack. A comfort zone that looks extremely safe entering the final straight of a three match race to the line that invites a strong grandstand style finish being served up against Postal away, at home to Brunstane, then Parkside away.
Parkside continue to pose the one and only threat to Craigentinny capturing the coveted title for an astonishing ninth time; but a 7-2 win at home to Northern dosent suggest the chief chasers are hitting a strong enough stride.
Brunstane were in need of a points lift in their fight to avoid being sucked into the relegation danger zone and whilst last seasons Division 2 runners up might have hoped for a better outcome they did help their cause with a 5-4 win at home to Hillside. Hillside continue to be on the wrong side of the relegation trapdoor; but have a tradition of being great escapologists and are within reaching distance of a third from bottom Tanfield team that raised spirits with a 7-2 win at home to Postal. The halting of Postal’s recent revival leaves last seasons Division 2 champions a lot to do on a tough run in at home to Craigentinny, at home to Maitland, away to Hillside but, from the bottom rung, they do have sight of the two clubs immediately above them.
Daniel Gormley spared the home team blushes at Craigentinny and his 25-12 win over Brian Higgins was never in doubt having skipped Lewis Betts, Gavin Rogers, and Andy Caldwell on an opening run of 1, 2, (1), 6, 5 to lead 14-1 then stretch to 20-3 after 10-ends. Willie McDonald carded a magnificent seven at his penultimate end but there was to be no late rescue outcomes in a narrow15-13 defeat from Maitlands, Andi Kellacher, Falconer Mitchell, Jim Robertson, and Alan Brown. Andy Jeffrey slopped from 9-9 to a 15-11 defeat from Graham Duff, Stuart Clark, Mark McIntosh and Graeme McIntosh while Ian Paterson lost 20-12 to George Trotter, Billy Clark, Stevie Ritchie, and Alan Trotter.