McDougall deals killer blow

Jun 25 2009 by Our Correspondent, West Lothian Courier

THE Glenmavis banner will appear on the National Finals stage at Ayr Northfield next month with former Fauldhouse stars Davy Ross and Sandy McDougall the standard bearers in the pairs.

Last week’s district finals at a well-attended Pumpherston green saw the Glenmavis partnership deliver one of several shocks on the night, as they edged a 14-13 thriller over Steven Forrest and John Aitken of Kirkliston.

Glenmavis gave early notice of an upset as they battled into a 9-2 lead, but Kirkliston fought back to a 12-11 lead with two ends to play.

Glenmavis tipped the scales back in their favour at 14-12 then the nerve ends twanged as Kirkliston responded on the last end.

The situation was grim for Glenmavis but McDougall had the answer at his fingertips in the shape of a cracking delivery that nestled securely in the Kirkliston cluster for the second shot, and a 14-13 triumph.

Cameron Greer’s early season switch from Whitburn to Bathgate brought a rich reward for the High Club as their new recruit will give them a major interest at Ayr in the Junior Singles.

The 22-year-old made an encouraging start to the final against 17-year-old Greg Baldry of East Calder, but his 6-0 lead was soon cut to a 12-8 deficit as his young opponent settled.

But a mix of relaxed composure and dedicated focus gave Greer the edge on the run-in, winning 21-15 in 21 ends.

Whitburn contributed to the drama of the night as Ian Greer, Alan Bryce, and Blair Stewart stole the show in the triples at the expense of Broxburn’s mark Allison, George Sneddon, and Calum Logan.

Broxburn started as hot favourites but were never at the races as Whitburn dominated the opening ends to lead 11-3, and though they came under pressure at 11-9 they triggered the victory salute with a 1, 1 finish (13-9).

Linlithgow looked home and hosed in the Fours when Gary Smith skipped Graham Keery, Davy Alexander, and Steven Fleming into a 17-7 lead over Mark Allan, Dean McLauchlin, Joe Wardle and Brian Toall of Uphall Station.

But the Station rink steamed back with a run of 4, 2, 3, 1, 3 to go ahead 20-17, playing the last where Linlithgow carded a single after being denied victory by a last bowl strike from Toall that winged its way in for the second shot.

Marches Day did end on a high note for the Linlithgow Seniors Four of George Gray, Willie Punton, George Charleston and Ian Munro, who set up a 15-0 lead then converting it into a 22-5 win over John Fordyce, Peter Imrie, Rab Cummings and James Johnstone of Whitburn.

Thomas Mann of Newbridge will spearhead the district’s challenge at Ayr, after producing his best form to blitz the luckless Val Jenkins of Kirkliston 21-6, in a singles final that lasted 14 ends.

KIRKLISTON landed a title treble in the finals of the West Lothian Bowling Association Championships played at Whitburn.

The Logan clan was involved in two of the triumphs with Raymond skipping Andi Gray and Neil Speirs in the triple, and nephew Grant skipping his father Gordon (third) plus Andrew Suddon and David Brown in the fours.

Steven Forrest etched his name on the Fred Meikle Trophy by capturing the Junior Open crown, beating 17-year-old Greg Baldry of East Calder who had crushed internationalist Thomas Mann in the semis.

Kirkliston lined up against Pat Gillon, Jim Currie, and John McKendrick of Stoneyburn in the MacLardy triples and came under continuous pressure as the opposition built up a 10-5 lead then led 12-10 entering the last end.

Play developed in favour of Kirkliston, and sure enough the big guns came good with a four to snatch a 14-12 victory.

Kirkliston held the fours title and Grant Logan completed a successful defence of the Hopetoun Cup at the 21-5 expense of Bellsburn (Linlithgow) challengers Scott Middlemiss, Stewart Mackay, Ronnie McIntyre and Eddie Caulfield.

Stuart Blakelock sparked title celebrations for Winchburgh in the singles and etched his name on the Baillie Trophy with a 21-10 win, achieved in 17 ends over Adam Gilliland of Bankton Mains.

Bathgate partnership Diz Drysdale and David Lawrie completed a hat trick of title wins in the pairs, denying Broxburn duo Stewart McMaster and Jim Mallon the Tam Dalyell Shield, 14-11.

WEST Lothian beat Border 126-106 at Newbridge in the Cities and Counties Championship to complete their east section campaign with six wins from seven games, finishing top, two points clear of East Lothian.

Wins on five rinks, skipped by John Aitken, Grant Logan, Graeme Archer, Thomas Mann, and Neil Speirs kept team manager Colin Stein happy, but he may have concerns about the defeat of George Sneddon.

Border edged the first 7-end phase 48-43 mainly due to Malcolm Thin punishing Sneddon 17-1 however West Lothian asserted themselves with a 44-23 reply on the second and then consolidated 39-35 on the third.

Sneddon’s misery in the company of Stewart McMaster James Speirs and Alec Allan continued at 19-1 down after nine ends and they came off dispirited 29-14 losers.

Aitken zipped from 2-5 to 17-5 then skipped Bryan Cooper Gerry Duggan and Calum Logan to a 28-10 win over Tommy Mann while Logan skipped Mark Allison Steven Fleming and Blair Mackie into a 13-4 lead and beat Graeme Forsyth, 22-12.

Archer added 2, 3, 1 to lead 19-12 and beat Robert Crawford, 21-18 while Thomas Mann blazed an 18-6 trail before settling for a 24-21 win over Stuart White, and Speirs landed a late 1, 2 to pip Ian Crawford, 17-16.

Midlothian crashed to a 147-91 defeat from Stirling County East at Allandale to finish behind West Lothian, East Lothian, E&L, and Fife in the league table but ahead of Stirling, West Fife and Border.