Monday nights first round action County wide in the £4000 Johnston Oils of Bathgate sponsored 20th West Lothian Masters attracted a field of 177 and the opening highlights saw four of the top 16 seeds lose interest in the £1000 title and possession of the coveted Green Jacket.
Read MoreCameron Greer of Bathgate, the 2012 Master and No 10 seed faced noted Hamilton Trophy star Jamie Edwards of Broxburn and made a 21-19 exit in an epic encounter. Ryan Miller of Buchan Park, the Masters finalist in 2015 and No14 seed, bit the dust in a surprise 21-16 defeat from dark horse challenger Ian Kilgallon of East Calder.
Mark Allison of Kirkliston, the Master finalist in 2016 and No16 seed normally makes prominent progress in this event but on this occasion came a cropper at the 21-13 hands of Ian Greer of Newbridge. Greg Logan of Uphall Station, the 2016 Master and No5 seed was an enforced withdrawal due to a holiday return delay.
There were close calls for three other sees with John Aitken of Kirkliston, a 4 times Master and No 7 seed surviving a tough 21-19 battle with David Ross of Glenmavis. Thomas Mann of Newbridge, the No8 seed yet to shine in the Masters was hard pressed to clinch a 21-18 win over Stuart Williamson of Linlithgow. Glenn King of West Calder, the Master finalist in 2012, 2017 County champion, and No 13 seed, progressed at the 21-18 expense of Newbridge star Bobo Forrest. The result for the other seeds were, Neil Speirs (1) 21 David Rodgers (Glenmavis) 5; Grant Logan (2) 21 Walter Millar (Linlithgow) 8; Gary Smith (3) 21 Drew Paterson (Newbridge) 8; Andrew Dunnett (4) 21 Colin Little (Springgrove) 14; Ewan Shearer (6) 21 Colin Hamilton (Queensferry) 14; Brian Craig (9) 21 Paul White (Blackburn) 14; Raymond Logan (11) 21 James Temple (Philpstoun) 3; Bryan Cooper (12) 21 Cameron Elliot (West Calder) 6; Darren Pearce (15) 21 Martin Stein (Linlithgow) 2.
Play continues tonight (Tues- 6-45) with No1 seed Neil Speirs in action against Tam Whitfield of Glenmavis at Bathgate High and No2 seed Grant Logan tackling a hot potato in Rab Hilson of Bathgate at Whitburn.