Carrick Knowe took a giant step forward in their bid to capture the Division 1 title of the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League at the first time of asking with their 5-4 away win over defending champions Craigentinny moving them 14 points clear of the record 10 times king pins.
Read MorePostal occupy second place a sizable seven points adrift of the leaders and it would have been closer but for a disappointing 7-2 defeat away to relegation zoned Northern. But the surprise package of this seasons campaign have the chance to really put the cat amongst the pigeons as the coming weeks penultimate fixture is a visit to Carrick Knowe and they have already inflicted 7-2 pain on their home fixture against the now strong title favourites. Craigentinny have slipped to the unfamiliar spot of fifth place in a league table that reads;
Carrick Knowe 72; Postal 65; Maitland 62; Parkside 60; Craigentinny 58; Queensberry 45; Northern 42; Brunstane 28.
Sighthill strengthened their grip on securing the Division 2 title as they won their top of table clash with Tanfield with a 6-3 score that moves them 11½ points clear of their closest rivals. Summerside are pressing Tanfield for the second promotion place and opportunity knocks for both clubs as they clash in the penultimate round of fixtures Summerside have home advantage. Sighthill 73; Tanfield 61½; Summerside 59½; Bainfield 55½Colinton 52; Hillside 51½; West End 41½; Wardie 37½.
West Lothian share centre stage with formidable opponents Lanarkshire South in todays final of the Hamilton Trophy at Ayr Northfield with the defending champions bidding to capture the Scottish Cities and Counties crown for a 12th time. None of the current 11 title triumphs have included two-in-row although Linlithgowshire came close with the 1978 champions losing the 1979 final to Ayrshire having suffered a colossal second half collapse from 32 up to 28 down. Team manager John Black welcomes back Gary Orr who resumes at third to Grant Logan in a selection that results in Gary Smith switching rinks to play lead to team captain Raymond Logan. Jimmy Speirs returns to the reserve bench where he joins Andy Walker and Scott McMaster. West Lothian served up a brilliant team performance in last Saturdays semi final against far travelled Bon Accord at Newbattle and the rerun of the 2018 final saw WL improve on their 17 shot success as they powered to a spectacular 58 shot victory (144-86). The result in the other semi final saw Lanarkshire South impress with a 127-109 win over Glasgow West at The Rock BC, Dumbarton.
The final of the historic Rosebery Cup (1882) played at WLBA President Tommy Sutherlands green at West Calder was a battle of modern day giants Linlithgow and 25 times champions Kirkliston. Linlithgow etched their name on the WLBA Holy Grail club trophy for a seventh time in an epic encounter that went right down to the wire before triggering a triumphant victory salute with an 80-74 scoreline.
Haddington captured the East Lothian Top Five title beating Elphinstone 4-1 in the final. (Joe Mower, Alister Kennedy, Stuart Thomson, Gordon Hunter, Calum Darling.
The 2019 National Championships run from this Monday through to Saturday at Ayr Northfield.