Bowls: Dazzling form deserts Spiers on final day of title pursuit

Dec 4 2008 by Our Correspondent, West Lothian Courier

NATIONAL championships title success eluded the strong West Lothian and Balbardie IBC’s challenge at East Lothian last weekend but the interest rolled over from Saturday to Sunday, bringing great hope in the gents’ Singles and ladies Two-Bowl Open Pairs.

Neil Speirs was bidding to join West Lothian IBC names on the list of Scottish Singles champions, such as Bob Sutherland and Jim Boyle (1983, 1984, respectively), and the current champion of the Inveralmond stadium raised hopes with a magnificent display in the semi finals.

His 21-2 demolition of Scott Briggs did no sort of justice to the ability or form of his Midlothian counterpart, but it reflected the views of those watching that this was Speirs at his best.

Sadly, the powers of the magic dust didn’t carry over into the final the following day, when an under-par performance was punished from the consistent Stewart Anderson of Auchinleck.

Anderson was the junior champion from the previous season attempting to add the big one to his growing CV, and he achieved this in commanding style as he swept to a 21-9 victory that left Speirs with no complaints.

The Balbardie IBC flag also appeared on finals day and it was carried by former Four-Bowl pairs champions, Sharon Leitch and Lorraine Malloy, who were now bidding for the Two-Bowl version, having defeated Prestwick, 2-7, 6-5, 5-3 in the semis.

The final pitched the Balbardie partnership against Anne Hastie and Michelle Cooper of Ardrossan, and despite a valiant effort by the Bathgate-based duo they suffered disappointment in the shape of a straight-sets defeat, 7-2, 6-4.

Saturday’s semi-final action brought intense disappointment, in a 21-19 defeat, to defending champion Wendy Purdie in the Singles, with the West Lothian IBC champion looking the likely winner at 19-14 up on Jane Brooksby of Falkirk.

However, the killer touch deserted Purdie on the race to the line as Brooksby battled past her, triumphing 21-19 and leaving last season’s championship heroine devastated by a dramatic loss.

The title was claimed by Julie Forrest of Teviotdale, whose 21-14 win over Brooksby saw her claim the coveted title for a third time.

Elgin claimed the Under-25 gents’ singles title with Andrew Barker edging a 21-20 thriller over Brian Irvine of Blantyre, but he missed out on a double when in partnership with Graeme Donaldson they lost to Alex Kelly and Iain McLean of Blantyre in the Two-Bowl pairs.

Michelle Cooper was another to miss out on a title double with the young holder from Ardrossan giving 21-15 best to Sarah Ewing of Headwell in the junior singles.

PREMIER League action returns to the Inveralmond stadium this weekend, with West Lothian playing host to Aberdeen on Saturday (2pm) and due to line up as follows:

Rink 1 – Ewan Wilson Kenny Black Calum Logan and Graeme Archer. Rink 2 – Derek Mairs Des Hagart Jimmy Mallon and Mark Allison. Rink 3 – Cameron Greer Ian Drysdale Stuart Johnston and Thomas Mann. Rink 4 – Bryan Cooper David Wilson James Speirs and Neil Speirs.

Sunday finds West Lothian IBC challenging Portobello in the Scottish Team Championship event at Bainfield and they line up as follows:

Singles – Wendy Purdie; Pairs – Carole Clarkson and David Wilson; Triples – Paul Barrett Jennifer Richardson and Scott McMaster; Fours – Iain Clark June Bell Ann Clark and George Marshall.

Balbardie gents have a major home match against leaders Falkirk in Division 1B, while the ladies make the reverse journey to Falkirk in their E section of the League Cup. West Lothian visit Cumbernauld.