Published: Friday, 24th April, 2009 4:30am

Wood's first county singles IBC triumph

After many years of trying - and a few near misses - Willie Wood finally celebrated his first East Lothian IBC singles title after beating John McCrorie in a cracking 21-16 final that lasted a mammoth 27 incident-packed ends in front of a bumper crowd at Meadowmill stadium last Friday evening.

The eagerly awaited final was a real battle with the outcome 12-12 after 19 ends. However, Wood made the first major move of the match and made telling space to 17 with counts of 2, 1, 2.

But the former national outdoor singles champion McCrorie fought back with two singles and a double to reach 16 without reply, but Wood (pictured inset) then produced two ends of pure magic that yielded two consecutive doubles to take him to 21 and finally etch his name on the coveted silverware.

'I"m absolutely ecstatic to finally get my hands on the club championship and even more exciting for me is it now brings me the major bonus of competing for the national title next season', said Wood.

Wood"s success in the singles completed a memorable week for the 71-year-old legend as he was a four-time winner in the national qualifiers.

Along with partner Stuart Wyllie, they captured the 4-bowl pair"s title with final victory over defending champions Scott Kennedy and Graham Robertson while he also emerged victorious in the 2-bowl pairs as he skipped Mark Johnston to a straight sets win over Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver in the final. The four timer was completed when he skipped James Hogg, David Sked and Scott Kennedy to the Fours title.

The final of the ladies" singles championship was also down for decision last Friday evening and Janet Fairnie was crowned queen of her county for the second successive season and etched her name on the ladies" championship board for an impressive third time when she defeated Norma Bauld 21-10 in a 21 end final.

The gents junior singles title went the way of Chris Fallen as he trumped Stuart Wyllie 21-3 in a final that only lasted 14 ends, while in the ladies equivalent the final featured the battle of the Hoggan sisters and it was the younger sister Kim who grabbed the limelight and a place in next season"s national event with a 21-12 triumph over older sister Dee.

There was a first time success chalked up by Sam Gray in the final of the Youth Singles after his 21-16 victory over Fraser Pringle while the senior singles title went the way of Harry Irvine at the 21-19 expense of John Hamilton. Representing East Lothian in the national senior fours event next season will be the rink of Jock Kennedy, Graham Good, John Hamilton and John Holmes after an 18-15 final victory over Andrew Cross, Jimmy Mack, John Rolland and Kenny Boyd.

Meanwhile, East Lothian duo Alex Marshall and Paul Foster triumphed in last weekend"s inaugural Fraserburgh International Invitation Pairs event.

The outdoor season well and truly bursts into action tonight (Friday) as the opening fixtures in all four divisions of the Credit Issues Scotland Ltd East Lothian Leagues are staged around the length and breadth of the county (6.45pm).As ever the main spotlight will be on the race for the prestigious Division 1 title and holders East Linton get there defence of the title underway with a tricky away fixture at Aberlady.

The holders go into campaign with the same squad of players who done them so proud last season while the Aberlady ranks is boosted by the signing of Thomas Heron from Tranent. Match of the night on the opening week takes place at West Barns where former five-in-a-row champions Port Seton are the visitors in what promises to be an opening night cracker.

The "barns" are boosted by the return of influential figure Kenny Watt after a five- year self imposed exile from the game. County star Craig Valentine is available again for Port Seton but on a down side they will be without Derek Logie.

Tranent will be hoping to build on last season"s mid-table finish and there hopes have be raised a notch or two by the capture of former national singles champion John McCrorie, as he returns to his native club after a spell at Ormiston.

However spirits are dampened a little with the news Thomas Heron has switched allegiance to Aberlady while club officials are still trying to locate Ross Pryde to enquire about his availability for the season ahead.

The Polson Park outfit open there campaign with a home fixture against Castlepark who will parade new signing Brian "Sconie" Young following his move from Macmerry. Haddington open with a home clash against EL-Coop who report no new fresh faces to there squad. Promoted club Elphinstone will require the likes of Norrie Cochrane, Robert "Banger" Strang and Jimmy McGimpsey to produce the goods on a regular basis if they are to keep there heads above water.

Meanwhile East Lothian will tune up their preparations for this season"s Scottish Counties Under -25 Championship campaign with a practice match at Castlepark BC on Sunday. All players who have been nominated are asked to report at Castlepark for 12.30pm.