Edinburgh & Leith are on a hat trick scoring mission when they seek to build momentum and net a third win in a row at the expense of Border at Melrose in today’s East section match in the Scottish Cities and Counties Championship for The Hamilton Trophy.
Read MoreWins over Fife and East Lothian have been achieved in an encouraging style that raises morale boosts confidence and generates a high level of team spirit, qualities much valued and welcomed by joint managers Duncan McLaren and Ricky Rutherford. Yes the new look 2018 team are developing a spring in their step and that is essential as they need to be on their toes against a Border team that although not seen as frontline always represent danger and should never be underestimated.
Carrick Knowe star Darren Hush makes his seasonal debut at third to Robert Marshall and in place of Jamie Gracie while Slateford veteran Gordon Ramsay retains his place having retuned to the fold last weekend as a late sub for Scott Rogers,
The E&L 125-105 triumph over East Lothian at Parkside was of massive proportion with the scales of victory tipped by wins on the rinks skipped by James Hogg, Andrew Ramsay, and captain Paul Veitch..
Hogg was the major contributor with the former EL star counting at 12 of the 21 ends to skip Ross Noble, Andy McNab, and Liam McKay to a handsome 29-11 win over Brian Young. The other outcomes were; Andy Ramsay 21 Alistair Kennedy 15; Paul Veitch 25 Steven Morgan 20; John Ramsay 18 Colin Glen 19; John McDermott 16 Scott Kennedy 18; Robert Marshall 16 Billy Mellors 22.
Midlothian provided fierce opposition against West Lothian in last weekends match at sun drenched Linlithgow and the outcome was very much in the melting pot as late as entering the third last ends with the master scoreboard flashing 91-89 in favour of the home side. The results of End 19 across the six rinks proved to be a spectacular game-changing moment with WL landing a stunning 17-1 blow that was highlighted by a super count of 6 for Ray Logan and mighty count of 5 for Neil Speirs.
Thomas Mann weighed in with a magic count of 3 while a double for Andrew Dunnett and a single for Grant Logan far outweighed the single lost by Steven Fleming. WL added to the Midlothian collapse with a 5-3 supremacy on end 20 then a 5-4 edge on the final end clinched a 21 shot triumph (118-97) for a jubilant West Lothian. Wins on the rinks skipped by Thomas Mann, Andrew Dunnett, Grant Logan, and Neil Speirs was a pleasing aspect of a team asked to show a strong resolve when brought under pressure while Steven Fleming finished peels and Ray Logan lost by 5. WL entertain Fife at Kirkliston today while Midlothian face West Fife at Cowdenbeath.
Postal delivered a strong wake-up call to slumbering giants Carrick Knowe in this weeks Division 2 action of The Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League having stamped their authority with a first class performance to lick the hot title favourites, 7-2 on points and, astonishingly, 79-51 on shots. Wins on the home rinks skipped by Craig Duffus, Elliot Young, and Stuart Turnbull triggered the victory celebrations at Postal while Tait Trophy legend Colin Mitchell spared the Carrick Knowe blushes with an 18-11 win over Neal Rooney.
Duffus included two mighty counts of 5 as he inspired Keith Anderson, Iain Duffus, and Colin Bain to a 27-6 demolition of Paul O’Donnell. Young beat James Hogg, 19-10, and Turnbull beat Richard Touch, 19-10. “I guess we are the talk of the town with just one win out of four but the league race is a marathon and not a sprint and our camp is confident we can finish like and express train”, reflected Colin Mitchell. Other Div 2 results; Willowbrae 7 Hillside (leaders) 2; Colinton 3 Wardie 6; West End 5 Pilrig 4.
Sighthill are another former Water of Leith giant yet to set the heather on fire in the EBL and they currently sit fourth in Division 3 after this weeks 5½-3½ win at home to foot of the table Mayfield. Last end calamities saw Graeme Eddington drop a 5 at the last to lose 17-12 to Gordon Wilson; and John McDermott shipped a four that cost him an 18-18 peel with Peter Miller while the thrilling climax enabled Mayfield to snatch a 62-62 share of the aggregate point. Other Div 3 results; Bainfield 8 Whitehouse & Grange 1; Leith 2 Corstorphine 7; Dudley 2 Goldenacre (leaders) 7.
Slateford made up some recovery ground in Division 4 with wins for Robert Marshall (23-7), Jamie Gracie (23-20), and Gordon Ramsay (16-14), giving them a 7-2 away win over London Road Foundry for whom Scott Mackintosh won 23-11. Other Div 4 results; Dean 9 Gorgie Mills 0; Merchiston 9 Blackhall 0; Currie (leaders) 7 Seafield 2.
It’s neck and neck between defending champions Craigentinny (29Pts) and Parkside (28½) in Division 1 with both clubs recording thumping 8-1 wins over Brunstane and Maitland respectively. Promoted club Queensberry jumped to third (26Pts) with a 9-0 win at home to Summerside while Tanfield beat Northern, 5-4.
Andy Wilton of Kirkhill followed up his win over gold medal hero Ronnie Duncan in the Midlothian District Singles with a 21-13 triumph over Donny Crew of Easthouses and next faces Stuart Fleming of Inveresk. Second R Results includes; S Reid (Musselburgh) bt Craig More (Shottstown); Danny McDougall (Buccleuch) bt Colin Cardwell (Penicuik); Stuart Fleming Bt David McGlynn (Wallyford MW); Ricky Delaney (Newcraighall) bt Ian Walkingshaw (Gorebridge).
Play in West Lothian’s long-standing one night rinks event for The Livingstone Trophy saw 25 clubs and 800 players parading their skills and Newbridge emerge clear winners with a maximum 8 points from 4 their rinks. Blackburn were runners up with 6 points and + 37 shots edging them ahead of East Calder, Uphall Station, Whitburn, Broxburn, Kirkliston, and Pumpherston.