Richard Tough has etched the Carrick Knowe name, for the first time, on the Singles silverware of The Edinburgh Bowling League having turned in a strong performance to capture the most coveted crown of the Knockout Championships sponsored by city based company Buyrite Bathrooms. 
Finals Day at Tanfield saw the main spotlight focus on the Singles proper with Tough challenging for the title glory against one of the sports major emerging stars in the shape of 21- year old Josh Spalding of Craigentinny. Both players paraded their skills in exciting fashion and the climax to a hard fought battle saw Tough produce a grandstand finish that swept him to a 21-15 victory in 25-ends. Spalding – winner of the junior Singles title in 2011 and 2013 – was stepping up in grade and going head to head against an opponent still in his prime some five years after playing third in the Carrick Knowe rink that captured the National Fours title in 2011.
The early exchanges were tit for tat, reflected by a 6-6 peel showing on the master scoreboard after nine ends and the first break came from Spalding who, from 6-7, carded 2, 1,2 (1), 1 to show 12-8 ahead. Tough has the abilities to respond to a danger signal flashing and his powerful response of 3, 1, 4, 1 not only raised the temperature of the final but asked searching questions of his younger opponent. Spalding did land a 1, 2 counterpunch that caused a ripple of excitement on the banking; but the chips were down and with the winning line in sight it was Tough that crossed it with a relentless 1, 1, 1, 1 run to 21.
Carrick Knowe hallmarked the clubs second season membership of the EBL by triggering a double Knockout title celebration by virtue of a sterling performance served up in the Fours by the rink of Olly Melvin, Peter Tough, Kevin Tennant, and John Ramsay. Ramsay and Co still had it all to do at 12-9 down to Malcolm Cook, Mike Sutherland, John Milne, and Adam Brock of Bainfield, at which stage the battle for ascendancy between the great Water of Leith League rivals developed into a nerve tingling corker. Carrick Knowe were two shots adrift with two ends to play and stole the show, and snatched the title, with a 2, 1 finish to win 15-14.
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