Craigentinnys capture of the Edinburgh Top Ten title is a major achievement significantly enhanced by the excellence of their play in defeating chief capital city rivals Carrick Knowe in the final played at Goldenacre.
Read MoreHard fought wins in the Singles, Pairs, and Triples delivered an emphatic 6-2 victory for the giants of the Edinburgh Bowling League over a strong Carrick Knowe team whose only show of supremacy came in the Fours. Spearhead figures David Brown (Craigentinny) and Paul ODonnell (Carrick Knowe) treated the crowded banking to a Singles spectacular with the outcome in a sizzling melting pot situation before Brown climaxed an epic 21-end encounter with a double to win 21-20.
Brown had hit the blocks in inspirational style to race into a 12-2 lead before ODonnell lifted the Carrick Knowe spirits with a fierce 2, 3, 2 response to 9 however the Craigentinny support were re-enthused by the addition of 1, 2, 1 that stretched their man into a promising 16-9 lead after 14-ends. The first clear sight of the winning post came with Brown within touching distance at 18-12 however a dramatic change to the landscape came with ODonnell charging to the front with a dashing run of 2, 4, 2 to cross 20-18. The drama was far from over though and it was Brown that stole the limelight as he conjured up a magic 1, 2 finish that swept him to 21 to win by a nose.
Meanwhile an explosive opening to the Triples saw Josh Spalding, Andy Jeffrey, and Danny Gormley rocket into a 16-1 lead over stunned Carrick Knowe trio, Craig Aitken, Stephen Pringle, and James Hogg. Hero status beckoned as the architects of a title winning team performance and Gormley and Co duly basked in that glorious acclaim with a 19-11 triumph.
Craigentinny soon looked to be bombproof in the Pairs also with the partnership of Craig England and Andy Caldwell firing their challenge up with an explosive run of 4, 5, 4 to lead Richard Tough and Colin Mitchell, 14-6 after six ends. Stretching to 21-12 they flashed past the winning post to clinch a clear cut 26-19 victory.A Carrick Knowe team that had been rocked back onto their heels from the off gained a degree of consolation with Darren Hush skipping Kevin Tennant, Graham Pringle, and John Ramsay to a 16-9 win over Kevin Hunter, Kevin McFaralne, Gordon Bold, and Willie McDonald.
Bainfield is the name etched on the coveted Edinburgh Bowling League silverware of the Gifted of Stockbridge sponsored Ladies 2-rink League Cup and it was achieved at the expense of Tanfield in the final played at Craigentinny. Alison Ross tipped the scales in a 4-1 points victory with the Bainfield ace skipping Maureen Docherty, Susan Brown, and Susan Allan to a exciting 13-11 victory having thrilled their support with a 1, 2 finish against Carol Munro, Denise McGregor, Tracey Campbell, and Chloe Thomson. And late drama in the other rink saw Anne McKenzie, Diane Craig, Anna Anderson, and Marion Dickson in the driving seat at 14-up but settling for a 14-14 peel when pressured by a 1, 2, 2 finish from Fiona Birrell, Margo Wood, Diane Lothian, and Erin Cornall.
Mike Forde of Kinneil reigns as the 2018 champion of the Weslo Seniors Open Singles having captured the, confined, major West Lothian title with a commanding 21-11 win over Stuart Smith of Ratho in the final days play at Glenmvais BC, Bathgate. The earlier semi final play saw Forde deal a 21-11 exit to Alister Wilson of Linlithgow while in a battle of past champions Smith (2015) beat Gordon Scott (2012) of Armadale, 21-15. Tuesdays quarter final results were; Wilson 21 Colin Stein (Linlithgow) 15; Forde 21 Robert Jones (Watson Memorial) 18; Scott 21 Stan Gardiner (Mid Calder) 7; Smith 21 Gordon Logan (2014) of Kirkliston, 21-15.
Linlithgow have strong claims to being hailed the West Lothian Club of the Season with their 4-1 capture of the Top Five Singles title at the expense of intense rivals Kirkliston adding to their earlier triumph in The Top Ten. The Cheesetown Boys were first off the mark with Darren Pearce racing into leads of 8-0 then 15-7 and going on to clinch an impressive 21-12 victory over Graeme Byrne. But The Black Bitches were soon off the leash and snapping back to 1-1 with Ewan Shearer bolting into a 15-5 lead over Scott Logan then confirming his supremacy with a 21-13 victory. Gary Orr was well placed to put Linlithgow 2-1 up as he dominated his match to lead 11-6 then 18-11 but there was sweat forming on his brow at 18-16 before putting Robbie Cuthill to the sword with a 2, 1 finish. Steven Forrest raised Kirkliston hopes of making it 2-2 when adding 1, 2, 1 to cross Steven Fleming, 14-13 then responding boldly to intense pressure at 18-14 down to have victory in his grasp at 19-17 up. An awesome climax to a melting pot situation saw Fleming escape from the jaws of defeat with a sizzling count of 4 to snatch a 21-19 victory that was a title-winning clincher. Had it gone 2-2 the situation in the remaining match between two legends of the WL Masters saw Andy Dunnett and Grant Logan deadlocked in an 18-18 battle.
Tranent the defending champions – have reached the semi final stage of the 2018 Inter County Top Five Singles with a commanding 3-0 win over Glencarse of Perthshire their wins coming from John McCrorie (21-12); Adam Martin (21-15); and Davie Whitson (21-17).