Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 09:10
Bowls ace Hogg king of county
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• A PROUD Chris Hogg accepts his first men’s singles trophy from Janet Milligan
James Hogg was crowned indoor bowls king of the county for the first time, after beating former outdoor internationalist Jim Pringle.
The East Lothian IBC men’s singles final ended 21-17 in Hogg’s favour, after a match that lasted 19 incident packed ends and was the highlight of Finals Week at Meadowmill last Thursday.
The 32-year-old (pictured, far right) got off to a flyer and raced into 14-3 lead. He then suffered a six-end slump that saw Pringle storm to 15 with a whirlwind run of 2,1, 3, 2, 2 and 2.
Pringle was consistently drawing to a full length jack. However, his run of form was halted by the loss of a single, but he then responded with a double to move 17-15 ahead.
He then opted to gift the jack to Hogg, who was more than happy to bring the mat up the green and cast a minimum length jack.
This was to prove significant as the change of tactic paid dividends for Hogg. He mastered the new length brilliantly as he produced three ends that yielded 3, 1, 2 to take him to 21 and etch his name on the coveted silverware.
After the match, a jubilant Hogg said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic. as winning this is without doubt the highlight of my career. To join great players like Alex Marshall, Graham Robertson and Angus Blair on the winner’s board is a dream come true.
“My next ambition is now to do myself and the club proud in the Scottish Qualifiers next season.”
Junior cap Derek Oliver wrote himself into the record books, as he became the first player to win the junior singles title for a third consecutive year.
The former national title holder held all the aces to trump Chris Fallen 21-5 in a final that lasted 15 ends.
The ladies’ singles final featured two former champions Janet Fairnie and Norma Bauld.
Fairnie was quick out of the blocks to lead 9-3. But Bauld soon found her stride and a run of three consecutive singles and a full house count of 4.
In an engrossing match, Fairnie took control of proceedings with a whirlwind run of 2, 1, 1, (1), 1, 1 and 1 to go 17-12 in front.
Bauld replied with a 2, 2 fight back to make it 17-16. But Fairnie made a 3 to pull further ahead at 20-16.She then finished the match with a single at the next.
John Holmes was delighted at capturing the senior singles title after he produced a thrilling comeback to clinch the final with a 21-18 victory over John Rolland.
Holmes looked down and out at 12-18 but he produced three ends of brilliance that yielded 3, 4 and 2 to hit 21 without reply.
There was another first time success, this time by Steven White in the final of the youth singles after his 21-17 victory over Euan Fallen.
In other finals played last week, Scott Kennedy and Graham Robertson formed a formidable pairing to capture and defend their Scottish 4-Bowl pair’s title after a final victory over Jamie Higgins and Steven Morgan.
In the ladies, Mary McGowan and Morag Wood can look forward to parading their skills on a national campaign after they emerged triumphant over Jean Russell and Teresa Gordon in the final.
The triples title went the way of Elsie Leigh, Nancy McNeil and Diane Rowan after they enjoyed a runaway success over Trish Montgomery, Betty Wallace and Margaret Cornwall.
Janet Fairnie was back to winning ways after she skipped Norma Bauld, Molly Morgan and Teresa Gordon to the fours title after a 21-13 final victory over Mary McGowan, Margaret King, Jean Russell and Morag Wood.
A week of compelling action was completed last Friday evening when Aberlady and Gifford went head-to-head in the final of the Belhaven Brewery and Famous Grouse-sponsored Top Nine Tournament.
It was a strong Aberlady side that collected the £200 first prize with a 7-2 win in an entertaining contest that showed the high standard of bowls in the county.
On the international stage, national singles king pin Scott Kennedy will this weekend compete in the World Indoor Bowls Council version of the World Singles in Swansea.
The two times East Lothian champion will also participate in the Mixed Pairs event and teams up with national ladies champion Wendy Archer.
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