Edinburgh Morning News 8/8

Logan (37) – whose older brother Grant has won the Masters on four occasions – is a member of the great family dynasty that has its roots in Kirkliston; but it is the banner of Uphall Station that he has carried to a first time WLM glory. It may be considered a point of interest that Logan was the last of the 186 entrants to sign up for the event, and that was the result of a bumping in conversation with the writer just minutes from the deadline.

Prior to his roller coaster wins over No5 seed Gary Smith of Linlithgow in the quarterfinals, Station pal Davy Lamb in the semi finals then Mark Allison of Kirkliston in the final – Logan’s flirtation with newspaper headlines was as a Junior Footballer. Logan – whose father Gordon was signed up by the legendary Stanley Matthews to play for Port Vale – kept goal for Linlithgow Rose and includes a Scottish Junior Cup medal from the 2007 campaign in his career collection of honours.

“I joined Uphall Station this season to be with some pals who play there; but I thought my only chance of slipping into a green jacket was to borrow one from my brother as he has some to spare” quipped the 2016 Master. Logan’s final day run started in extremely windy conditions – not taylor made for inch perfect bowling – and his task looked to be a momentous one in the shape of 57 year old Gary Smith, the No5 seed who had reached three previous finals and won one of them.

Smith had ridden his luck from 19-12 down to beat Darren Pearce of Kirkliston, 21-20, in their section final; but became a victim of role reversal when leading Logan, 19-14 before blown away by his opponents storming run of 1, 2, 1, 1, 2 to 21. Logan’s escape from jail pitched him against one of his Station pals in 35 year old David Lamb – a player of Hamilton Trophy Status – and in a repeat 25-ender he picked up the pace from 11-10 and battled on to clinch a 21-16 victory.

Mark Allison came into the final with a ‘more rested’ time preparation having taken 18- ends to capture the, 21-8, scalp of No14 seed Raymond Logan – uncle of Greg and the legend figure that touched off Willie Wood MBE in the Scottish Singles final of 1998. Allison followed up with a 21-15 win over 66 year old Bob Mackay of Armadale in 21-ends having pushed on from 10-8 to gain command at 17-11. Mackay had held on from 20-10 in his quarterfinal to beat No7 seed Brian Craig of Glenmavis, 21-19. The final produced opening thoughts that Logan might be suffering match fatigue from his longer time spent on the green and in testing conditions with Allison making the stronger start to lead 6-0. However a 4 shot explosion onto the card at end five erupted into a follow on blitz of 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3 that rocketed Logan into a 17-6 lead before Allison showed hints of a revival at 18-10.

Logan had been asked to cope with the introduction of a short mat tactic by his opponent; but his mental attitude was strong, his competitive buzz was switched on, and he counter punched with a late 1, 2 that knocked Allison out, 21-10, in 18-ends. “I think composure was the major weapon in these potential confidence threatening playing conditions and in that respect my experiences as a goalie stood me in good stead”. “Winning the West Lothian Masters is a sensational feeling for me and I will also have the memory of picking up my Ł1000 cheque from my cousin Scott a Director of sponsors Johnston Oils”.

Other quarterfinal result; David Lamb 21 Paul Sweeney (Newbridge) 15. Scott Logan – son of Raymond – was also in the WLM field and felt unlucky to make a 21-17 exit to Mark Allison in their Section final. Section Final – Last 16 – results. 1: Paul Sweeney 21 Mark McCullagh (Buchan Park) 15; 2 : David Lamb 21 Steven Fleming (Buchan Park) 16; 3:Gary Smith 21 Darren Pearce 20; 4: Greg Logan 21 Robert Hilson (Bathgate) 19; 5: Ray Logan 21 Adam Gillialnd (Bankton Mains) 12; 6: Mark Allison 21 Scott Logan (Kirkliston) 17; 7: Brian Craig 21 Ryan Miller (No10 Buchan Park) 17; 8: Bob Mackay 21 Grant Logan (No2 Kirkliston) 12.