Bob Linton of Dean BC grabbed the major headline in the Buyrite Bathrooms sponsored finals of the Edinburgh Bowling League Knockout Championships the sprightly veteran emerging a super hero with his spectacular win over James Hogg of Carrick Knowe to capture of The Singles title.
Read MorePlayed at Queensberry the home club of EBL President Brian Jempson the venue was packed to the gunnels by a banking that reflected great support drawn from across the 46 member clubs. Linton is now a prominent figure in the Seniors Brigade of Bowlers at Dean; but still capable of parading his skills in the Mainstream events the 3 times club champion had made steady progress through the rounds to bask in the limelight of the EBL finals. The chief highlight of what will go down in history as a memorable occasion came in the climax to the Singles with Linton stamping his name all over Finals Day with a phenomenal count of 3 on end 23 to snatch a 21-19 victory over an opponent rated, currently, one of the best in the capital city. Hogg a player of international status and national title glories looked set to dominate when adding 2, 1, 1 to lead 14-7; but Linton stirred the banking a with five end purple patch run of 1, 2, 2, 3, 1 that transformed the picture, 16-14, in his favour.
The battle for supremacy was back to evens-stevens at 16-16 then Lintons double to 18 was answered by a 1, 2 from Hogg to cross19-18 after 22 end played. Hogg elected for a short mat and drew a goodish shot with his opening bowl Linton run through but did so with a passing kiss of the jack then really created an electrified buzz on the banking when ditching the jack with his second bowl. Linton held one shot from that then played his third into the area; but his fourth and final bowl came from out of the clouds and seriously from a different planet. With perfectly judged weight and accurate line his Bowl number 4 punched his on green toucher into the ditch – then cannoned Hoggs second shot out of contention then stayed alive on the green then carded 3 shots to trigger a title winning salute. It was an astonishing delivery the best shot I have seen in my life reflected EBL secretary Robert White and all credit to James (Hogg) he simply applauded a truly magical masterbowl The Dean name had been etched on the coveted Singles trophy by George McNab in 2012 while Carrick Knowe were the defending champions with Hogg bidding to emulate the 2016 success of Richard Tough.