Neil Speirs -Gold Medal hero and reigning WLBA Champion of Champions – is set to transfer his skills to the indoor code this weekend as he represents the West Lothian IBC banner in the play-down action of the Scottish Singles at Cumbernauld.
It’s an opportunity for the 36-year old WLIBC champion to step up on his 2009 effort when reaching the final and if it ends in him capturing the coveted national crown he will be emulating the triumphs of Thomas Mann (2013), Jim Boyle (1984), and Bob Sutherland in 1983. This years 39 strong field is as competitive as ever with David Peacock (Midlothian), Robert Grant (Lanarkshire), Wayne Hogg (East Fife), Andrew Barker (Elgin), Stewart Anderson (Auchinleck), and defending champion Billy Mellors (East Lothian), among the eyecatchers. Speirs launches his campaign against Cameron Wilson of Galleon and if successful will continue against Ewan Fallen of East Lothian or Jamie Mitchell of Berwickshire. The Balbardie IBC challenge is in the capable hands of Mark Boner who faces a tough baptism in the shape of Turriff ace Mark Thurston. Play commences at 9-30am on Saturday through to the 2pm session on Sunday. The semi finals and final take place at Paisley IBC on the weekend of 23/24 January.
The outdoor season finished on a high for the Under 25 brigade of the West Lothian B.A. with the cream of the county’s emerging talent travelling to Paisley and capturing The David Devaney Under 25’s Top Ten Memorial Trophy. The eight strong event played at Anchor BC brought together challenges from Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Renfrewshire, Borders, Glasgow, Stirling, and West Lothian.
It was the swan song in the Under 25’s for recently crowned Fred Meikle Trophy champion Andrew Semple of Newbridge so it was a fitting climax for the Junior Cap to sign out with a coveted piece of silverware in his clutches. Semple captained the team and skipped Kyle Broadley (Kirkliston), Cameron Nicol ( Deans), and Robbie Cuthell (Kirkliston) in the Fours while Greg Baldry (Newbridge) was the spearhead figure in the Singles.
Jamie Deegan (Harrysmuir) and Jordan Pearce (Kirkliston) were undefeated in the Pairs, while Darren Pearce (Kirkliston), Nathan McKendrick (Kirkliston) and Scott McMaster (Broxburn) formed the Triple.
WL beat Lanarkshire and East Lothian in their section play but lost to Dunbartonshire then qualifying for the Last 4 knockout stage beat Renfrewshire in the semi finals then gained revenge over Dunbartonshire in the final – with wins in the Singles, Pairs, and Fours, and a peel in the Triples.
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