Bowlers win to boost top division survival bid

The result moves East Lothian onto the four-point mark and two points clear of bottom club Lanarkshire in the ultra-competitive B section, while surprise package Aberdeen are still the table-toppers and still undefeated on 10 points.

“That was a hard-fought, gritty and ultimately a clinical performance from us,” said a jubilant team captain Mark Johnston.

“The lads collectively raised their game and played big bowls at crucial times to seal an excellent away victory.

“There is no doubt that after a poor start to the campaign, team confidence is back and hopefully we can maintain this for the remainder of the season.” The performance from East Lothian turned out to be immense under skips Jamie Higgins, Derek Oliver, Billy Mellors and Scott Kennedy.

Stand-in skip Higgins and his front three of Johnston, Dougie Berwick and Andrew Jeffrey were in splendid form as they raced into a 14-4 lead after 10 ends before going on to win 24-11 against John Candlish.

Oliver looked on course for defeat as he trailed 17-12 with 18 of the 21 ends completed but a fabulous final delivery on the 19th end saw him count a mighty 7 and then go on to skip Gary Muir, Andy Burt and Graham Robertson to a 21-17 win over David Crawford.

Mellors skipped Ewan Fallen, Scott Logan and Willie Wood into a 13-6 lead after 10 ends but then became well held before settling for a 20-19 triumph over Martin Williamson.

Lessel Middler, Gary Darling, Stewart Thomson and Kennedy led 20-16 after 18 ends but then struggled on the final few ends before managing to scramble a 22-22 share of spoils against Scott Wilson.

The side is not back in action next Saturday (November 29), when they face another testing away encounter, this time at Paisley.

The East Lothian contingent of Billy Mellors, Scott Kennedy, Jamie Higgins, Graham Robertson and Derek Oliver have all been named in the men’s Scottish International trial match, which will be staged at Falkirk IBC on Sunday, January 11.

World stage icon Alex Marshall enjoys the luxury scenario of already being pre-selected for the final line-up for the British Home International series, scheduled for Stanley IBC in County Durham from March 12 to 14.

Veteran campaigner Willie Wood is unable to attend trial match but will still be considered for selection for the final 24-man team.

Meanwhile, Ewan Fallen has been named in the Scotland Gents Under-25 team that will play a trial match at Glasgow IBC next Sunday (November 30).

The ladies of East Lothian IBC bounced back to winning ways in Division 1C of the Scottish Ladies League, with the Garden County recapturing their best form to score a commanding 90-53 home victory over West Lothian on Saturday.

“We’re absolutely delighted to get back to winning ways and we remain neck and neck with Balbardie at the top of the table with four games remaining, so there is still all to play for,” said team manager Sheena Currie.

A strong and pleasing team performance from East Lothian was reflected by good wins on the rinks skipped by Nancy McNeil (+19), Emma Brown (+13) and Janet Fairnie (+11), while the only hiccup came in the shape of a narrow defeat for Cathy Ward (-6).

The ladies enjoy an idle week this weekend but they do return to action next Saturday (November 29) with a home clash against Bainfield.

The playdown action in the National 4-Bowl Pairs takes centre stage this weekend and current British Isles Pairs title holders Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver enter the event again with high hopes of reclaiming the title they won in 2013.

The East Lothian champions are in action at Cumbernauld IBC tomorrow (Saturday) and face a preliminary-round confrontation with a pairing from Fintry on the 9.30am session.

The local challenge in the ladies’ playdown action also looks to be in good hands as the mother-and-daughter combination of Rosemary and Gillian Mackintosh are also in action at Cumbernauld IBC tomorrow and enter the fray on the 2pm session with a first-round clash against Balbardie.

The senior side made it five wins in a row in the East B section of the Scottish Senior League, with their latest success last Wednesday a convincing 70-49 triumph at home against Teviotdale.

Garden County legend Willie Wood was an absentee so his rink was skipped by stand-in B J Smith and he took to it like a duck to water, as he led them to an 18-8 victory.

Chief support came from Tom Young as he skipped his rink to a 14-shot victory, while Jock Brodie settled for a share of the spoils, but Teviotdale did rock the boat with a win against Peter Laidlaw (-3).

“It was another very good win and we are now in a commanding position, as closest rivals Midlothian, lost so we are now four points clear entering the second half of the campaign,” commented senior team convenor John P Hamilton.

The side was back in action on Wednesday when they made the short trip to Dalkeith to tackle fierce local rivals Midlothian.

A number of youths from East Lothian IBC are in East of Scotland Pairs and Triples action at Abbeyview IBC in Dunfermline on Sunday from 10am. Dean Riva and Craig Mackintosh fly the Garden County banner in the pairs event, while Robbie Buchanan, Megan Kivlin and Lewis Betts are the local hopes in the triples.

Turning attention back to the outdoor code and all clubs associated to East Lothian Bowling Association are reminded that a Special General Meeting has been called for and will be held this coming Wednesday (November 26) at Haddington BC at 7pm.

All clubs must attend as the meeting has been called to discuss and debate the new revamp of the ELBA Constitution and Rules and league and cup rules. Also included is the new Child and Vulnerable Adult policies and new Communication Policy dealing with comments on social media.

Two representatives from each club are requested to attend the meeting to discuss and debate the various proposals from ELBA.