Carrick Knowe are poised to capture the Division 1 crown of the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League at the first time of asking as they are all but past the post with a 9 point lead (78 to 69) over Parkside entering next weeks final round of fixtures.
This weeks results saw the league leaders score a 6-3 win at home to top of the table rivals Postal while defending champions Craigentinny made little impression on the top two with a 7-2 win over Northern however Parkside raced up into second place with a 9-0 win at home to Maitland.
This weeks fixtures feature Carrick Knowe away to relegated Brunstane (32) and Parkside away to second from bottom Northern (44), also Postal v third from bottom Queensberry (50), and Maitland at home to Craigentinny.
Sighthill are home in dry to captures the Division 2 title with 81 points to the 66 of Tanfield who are under last match promotion winning pressure from Bainfield (64) and Sunmmerside (63ｽ).
Goldenacre dominate Division 3 with 75 points followed by Dean (67), Leith (64), Slateford (59), Mayfield (59), Corstorphine (58), Willowbrae (55), and Pilrig (31).
While Division 4 reads, London Road Foundry 82, Currie 81, Dudley 64, Gorgie Mills 63, Juniper Green 63, Merchiston 55, Trinity 33, Whitehouse & Grange 26.
Read MoreThe strongly formed Craigentinny rink of Kevin Hunter, Danny Gormley Jnr, Andy Jeffrey, and Andy Caldwell did the Edinburgh & Leith banner mighty proud by capturing the Fours title.
Caldwell, the 2005 Junior Singles Champion, skipped his rink to wins over Newmains (31-8), Wellington Park (20-19), Stenhousemuir (20-10), Windygates (17-10) then Glencarse (19-12) in the final.
East Lothian capture of the Gents Singles title in the national championships played at Ayr Northfield was yet another major achievement for the garden county and the latest hero figure is Gordon White of of Aberlady. White was no dark horse champion as his previous form included being crowned the Junior Singles king pin in 2016 nonetheless winning the Singles title proper represents a significant step up in class.
And the East Lothian banner was also brilliantly represented by Megan Kivlin of East Lothian Co-op in the ladies Junior Singles with her title winning efforts emulating her success in 2016.
White thrilled his support with a high class campaign that he launched with commanding wins over Ian Bell of Lanark (21-10), and Andy Furye of Carnoustie West End (21-9). A hard fought 21-17 win over William McKenzie of Cumnock set up a semi final clash against Ewan Shearer of Linlithgow and an excellent nip and tuck encounter saw White leading 20-18 but in danger of making an exit with 3 shots against him. White dramatically burnt the end with a deadly strike then claimed the scalp of the West Lothian champion by carding the winning single on the replayed end.
The final pitched White against 2017 national champion Martyn Rice of Dumfries and although considered the underdog it was the East Lothian star that produced a sparkling performance that outshone the favourite to win 21-9. Kivlin triumph earlier in the week was featured in last weeks report and was highlighted by her 21-13 win in the final over defending champion Rachael Sinclair of Kingswood.
Calum Darling of Haddington reached the semi finals of the gents Junior Singles where he was piped in a 21-20 thriller by Jason Banks of Inverurie who went on to win the title.
Midlothian delivered a national title triumph to their Bowls Scotland President, Jock Halliday, and it was his own club Dalkeith that did it with the ladies Triple of Alison Plenderleith, Esther Laidlaw, and Elizabeth Halliday producing a 2, 1 finish to edge a nailbiting 17-16 in over Stranraer in the final.
West Lothian were denied a title celebration with the Glenmavis rink of Marlynn Whitfield, Delia Flannigan, Angie Uttley, and Lorraine Craig conceding 1, 1 to be suffer a 16-15 defeat from Alloa East End in the final of the Fours.
The Friday night venues hosting the Last 16 (5th Round) in next weeks ｣4000 West Lothian Masters are, West Calder and Armadale. The final days play a week tomorrow (Sunday) takes place at Stoneyburn BC.
Todays (Sat) final of the WLBA Top Ten features Kirkliston v Buchan Park at Newbridge (2pm).