Whilst Commonwealth Games challengers Alex (Tattie) Marshall MBE and Derek Oliver of East Lothian, and Ronnie Duncan of Midlothian join forces in their bid for medal glory in Australia’s Gold Coast back home the respective clubs will do battle in Saturdays final of the Henselite Scottish Cup.
Read MoreAbbeyview (Dunfermline) is the neutral scene of a high intensity 12 o’clock high noon confrontation between the neighbour clubs that has prospects of developing into an epic of classical spectacular proportions. Midlothian – 4 times champions – enter the fray fired up by memories of their triumph over East Lothian in the 2004 final since when the stars from the Dalkeith Stadium have suffered the pain of defeat to Tweedbank in 2009 and Falkirk in 2017.
East Lothian – the inaugural winners in 1989 – have etched their name on the silverware a magnificent seven times and on current form are favourites to achieve a record extending eighth success.
Last weekend’s semi final action saw East Lothian avenge their recent defeat in the playoff final of the premier league with a dramatic – down to the wire – victory (6-4) over Blantyre with crucial wins on the rinks skipped by Joe Mower and Graham Robertson. Mower produced ‘the man of the match performance’ as he inspired his front-three of Lessel Middler, Kevin Cunningham, and Jamie Higgins to a 23-10 win over Jim McCann. Robertson edged an 18-17 thriller while Scott Kennedy was piped 21-20 and Billy Mellors lost 27-18. Team captain Dougie Berwick return to the EL line up for the final as does budding teenage star Lewis Betts while stalwart campaigners Andy Burt and Jamie Gordon are enforced absentees. Rink 1. Lewis Betts, Andrew Jeffrey, Dean Riva, and Billy Mellors. Rink 2. Aaron Betts, David Sked, Stewart Thomson, and Scott Kennedy. Rink 3. Lessel Middler, Kevin Cunningham, Jamie Higgins, and Joe Mower. Rink 4. Mark Yuill, Dougie Berwick, Mark Johnston, and Graham Robertson.
Midlothian charged into the second final in succession with a commanding win over Elgin and their strong looking line up in the final reads, Rink 1.Jack Macnab, Liam McKay, Kevin McDougall, and Billy Peacock. Rink 2. Jamie Macnab, Sandy Knight, Jim Cullen, and David Peacock. Rink 3. Ian Forbes, Craig Hodge, Andy Caldwell, and Graeme Archer. Rink 4. Neil Melrose, Lindsay Plenderleith, Dougie Russell, and Colin Walker. The Rink draw reads, Kennedy v Archer; Mower v D Peacock; Mellors v Walker; Robertson v B Peacock.
The stunning form of the East Lothian Ladies team in season 2017/18 continues to impress with their roller-coaster momentum powering them to a 10-0 win over East Fife to reach the semi final stage of their Scottish Cup. Good wins on the rinks skipped by Emma Logan, Yvonne Veitch, Janet Fairnie, and Lauren Baillie is rewarded by team manager Gordon Pryde announcing an unchanged line up for this Saturdays tough semi final task against Ayrshire giants Auchinleck at West of Scotland IBC.
The Seniors brigade of West Lothian IBC are the current heroes of the Livingston based club with ‘Six off their Best’ in the shape of David Wilson (S), Stuart Smith, George Marshall (P), George Clark, Davy Anderson, and Alasdair Stenhouse (T) capturing the Central District Top Six Crown.Wilson produced an inspirational 21-10 win over George Newby of Falkirk in the Singles while game-changing drama in the Pairs saw Marshall burn the jack on the last end then draw two shots on the re-spot to snatch a 21-20 victory.The unfolding picture in the Triples saw Stenhouse edging towards a likely victory – from 6-6 to 12-6- when play came to a halt.
Midlothian and West Lothian seniors both bowed out in yesterdays (Wed) semi finals action of the Jock Brodie Seniors Challnge Trophy played at The Alex Marshall Arena. East Lothian crushed their neighbour rivals 10-0 while Perth beat West Lothian, 6-2. The final is scheduled for Wednesday 11th April at 11am
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