The 2018 field challenging for the Edinburgh Top Ten Title sponsored by Virgin Trains is 41 clubs strong and having missed the prelim round reigning champions Sighthill launch their defence of the coveted crown against Goldenacre.
Read MoreCarrick Knowe the reigning national king pins also enter the action in the first round and line up against Dudley on Tuesday July 3, and formline wins for the two silverware merchants would see them clash in the Second round. The prelim round action on Tuesday June 26 is spiced up by the presence of capital city giants Craigentinny who are drawn against Leith while Slateford twice national champions are pitched against Maitland.
Currie were to hot to handle for the rest of the field in last years Edinburgh Plate sponsored by Penplaid Ltd; but it is a second bite of the cherry for runners up West End as the 2018 first round clash is rerun of the 2017 final. There is huge sense of sadness that one time EBL giants Pilrig have opted to parade their skills in The Plate and not The Edinburgh Cup where they are the inaugural winners (1998) however their presence adds extra glamour to the lesser event. Pilrig open in the first round against Dean while former Water of Leith giants Gorgie Mills face Goldenacre.
The ambitious aims of The West Lothian Bowling Association to introduce the groundbreaking Generations Game into their 2018 calendar of events will be further explored by a meeting with the 34 member clubs at Buchan Park (Broxburn) on Wednesday 18th April. The format of The Generations Game embraces a first-ever coalition of the Male and Female Branches of the sport in a team of 13 that involves Five Sectors in the shape of Under 18s Under 30s Over 60s Mainstream Ladies Mainstream Gents.
Jamie Macnab has etched his name in gilt on the Championship Board at Midlothian IBC having edged a 21-19 thriller against Ronnie Duncan in the final of the Singles. Sandra Mcleish reached two finals but lost the Singles proper against Stacey McDougall and to Shona Johnstone in the Seniors version. Ellie Borthwick beat Megan Grantham in the ladies Junior Singles.
Bowls Legend Willie Wood MBE is celebrating his first national seniors triumph having captured the Pairs crown in company with his East Lothian colleague Lessel Middler in the climax to the Scottish Seniors Championships staged at Midlothian IBC. Wood skipped his lead to an 18-10 win over Buchan in the semi finals then came from 11-9 down in the final to beat Eddie Mellon and Robert Pye of West of Scotland, 18-12. Prospects of a Garden County double were dashed by a defeat in the semi finals of the Triples with Billy Higgins, Alastair Russell, and Tommy Young losing to eventual champions, Perth.
Balbardie IBC was the destination of the silverware in the Ladies Pairs with Helen Wilson and Margo Duff including a magnificent count of 7 in their 25-10 semi final win over West of Scotland then they beat Ayr 21-11 in the final.
East Lothian gents progressed to the semi final stage of The Scottish Cup after winning a dramatic extra end by 4 shots to 2 to beat defending champions Falkirk at Headwell. They now play premier league champions Blantyre at Falkirk this weekend The ladies of East Lothian have been in great form this season are on cloud 9 after crushing their higher profile neighbours Midlothian, 10-0, at Falkirk to reach this weekends quarter finals they play East Fife at Headwell.
East Lothians bid to capture the Seniors Scottish Cup ended in massive disappointment in yesterdays (WED)) final; losing 6-4 to Lanarkshire at Headwell.D Berwick 17 P Jones 11; W Wood 15 S Syme 14; A Russell 10 M McParland 16; T Young 11 G Prosser 19.