West Lothian launch their 2017 campaign in the East section of the Cities and Counties Championship, for the much coveted ‘Andrew Hamilton Trophy’, this Saturday and their opening test is the toughest possible in the shape of tackling defending champions East Lothian on away territory at the ELCO green in Tranent.
Read MoreTeam Manager Gordon Logan has assembled a formidable line up of proven talent and experienced campaigners but hitting the ground running is always a major early season challenge with the level of match sharpness a question waiting to be answered.
East Lothian rarely under perform as a team and their league system tends to give them an early season edge in terms of competitive game time under their belt but the introduction of five fresh faces and the retirement of legend figure Willie Wood MBE does suggest they could face a settling in challenge. However the presence of Alex Marshall MBE, Billy Mellors, John McCrorie, Brian Young, the Kennedy brothers Alister and Scott, and the return to the Garden County of Mal Higgenbotham is awesome as a backbone.
West Lothian away from home and against the title-holders will enter the field of play as underdogs in the judgment of most pundits however a positive attitude and attack minded but judicious game plan could pay a winning dividend.
Neil Speirs – the 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Hero – is a high profile returnee to the WL line up as is 2016 WL Master Greg Logan and there is a debut for Scott Logan. Eyebrows will be raised in some quarters that only one player from the South of the County has made a line up that including three reserves is 27 in number. The team reads, Rink 1. Drew Paterson (Newbridge), Jordan Pearce (Kirkliston), Greg Logan (Uphall Station), and Grant Logan (Kirkliston). Rink 2, Andrew Semple (Newbridge), Blair Mackie (Newbridge), Gary Smith (Linlithgow), and Raymond Logan (Kirkliston). Rink 3. Ewan Shearer (Linlithgow), Scott Logan (Kirkliston), Calum Logan (Kirkliston), Andy Dunnett (Queensferry). Rink 4. Steven Forrest (Kirkliston), Mark Allison (Kirkliston), James Speirs (Newbridge) and Neil Speirs (Kirkliston). Rink 5. Jamie Aitken (Newbridge), Alec Allan (Newbridge), Steven Fleming (Linlithgow), and Thomas Mann (Newbridge). Rink 6. Frazer Muirhead (Uphall Station), David Lamb (Uphall Station), John Aitken (Kirkliston), and Sandy McDougall (Glenmavis). Reserves: Scott Mushet (Linlithgow), Derek Logie (Linlithgow); Andy Walker (Winchburgh).
Kirkliston star Grant Logan has hit the early season headlines by capturing The £500 Sighthill Open Singles Title and The Cheesetown Boy did it fine style with his victims including defending champion Alan Isbister of the host club, Nigel Walker from Dalgety Bay, and last seasons runner up Steven Pilley of Bainfield in the final. Andi Gray of Kirkliston also made a big impression by reaching the semi finals where he lost to Pilley.
Logan was also in tip top form to skip Andy Dunnett of Queensferry to the title triumph in the Ratho 2Bowl Open Pairs event sponsored by Belhaven Brewery having survived tough battles against Jimmy and James Speirs; Andrew and Gordon Ramsay, Bryan Cooper and Neil Speirs; then in the final his Uncle Raymond Logan and son Scott.