West Lothian 20/6 – Scotlawn Bowls

The Singles final of the County Championships played at East Calder was a thrilling encounter that saw Jim Speirs of Ratho win the title for the second year running having conjured up a magic finish of 2, 2, 1, to snatch a 21-19 victory over Andy Paterson of Harrysmuir.

Paterson, bidding to win a first County Title for Harrysmuir, excited his support with impressive play to lead last years champion, 11-7, 16-13, and 19-16; but the strong finish from Speirs saw the Ratho ace emulate the 1992/93 double of his clubmate Frank Dowling. And a night to remember for the Speirs clan saw the sons of the singles champion, James and Neil of Kirkliston capture the Pairs title having added 5, 1, 1 to lead 17-10 and beat Mark Bonar and Sandy McDougall of Glenmavis, 18-11. Kinneil triumphed in the Triples with Stuart McKie, Colin Forrest, and Allan Ure dominating from 5-6 to score a 14-9 win over Jaz Aitken, Ian Robertson, and Thomas Mann of Newbridge. A nail-biting thriller in the Fours saw the Kirkliston rink of Steven Forrest, Andy Suddon, Mark Allison, and Raymond Logan finish with 2, 1 to clinch a 14-10 win that denied David Gemmell Jnr, Tam Johnston, Craig Gourlay, and Brian Clarkson of Winchburgh a successful defence of the title. Fred Winter of Jack High Club Insurance sponsored the Singles and the Triiples; Mark Feeney of Glenmavis the Pairs; and Kirkliston BC the Fours..

The District Finals of the National Championships are staged at West Calder BC tomorrow night (Fri) with the top of the bill action featuring Ewan Shearer of Linlithgow against Greg Baldry of East Calder in the Singles. Cameron Nicol carries the banner of Deans into the Junior Singles and faces Darren Pearce of Kirkliston while the line up in the Pairs pitches David and Alan McCormick of Bathgate against Aiden and Nathan Davies of Pumpherston. The battle to reach Ayr Northfield in the Triples is fought between Stuart Affleck, Blair Mackie, and Thomas Mann of Newbridge against Mike Reid, Jim McCallum, and Raymond Reid of Queensferry. The final of the Fours features the Broxburn rink of Stewart McMaster, Ian Laverie, Brian Edwards and Jamie Edwards against Mark Allison, Greg Logan, Calum Logan, and Raymond Logan of Kirkliston.

West Lothian made it a super six wins out of six in the East section of the Hamilton Trophy and did it in great in impressive style with massive 47 shot away victory (144-97) over Fife at Markinch. Wins on five of the six rinks reflects a strong team performance the highlight of which was Thomas Mann skipping Jamie Aitken, Robbie Cuthill, and Ewan Shearer to a whopping 35-10 triumph.
Grant Logan skipped Calum Black, Blair Mackie, and Gary Orr to a 28-12 win and the rink of Stevie Forrest, Jamie Edwards, James Speirs, and Neil Speirs won 28-17; while Andy Dunnett skipped Cameron Greer, Davy Lamb, and Calum Logan to a 20-11 success. Stevie Fleming and his front-three of Drew Paterson, Paul Sweeney, and Sandy McDougall edged a 21-20 win while the only setback saw Jimmy Speirs, Barry Sword, Mark Allison, and Raymond Logan defeated 27-12. West Lothian bid to complete their seven- match section campaign undefeated at the expense of Stirling County East in Saturdays match at Kirkliston. Team manager John Black makes one change with Darren Pearce return at lead to Raymond Logan in place of the unavailable Jim Speirs.