East Lothian champions Scott Kennedy and Billy Mellors have failed in their bid to retain the National 4-Bowl Pairs title after they made a disappointing third-round exit in the playdown action at Abbeyview IBC in Dunfermline at the weekend.

East Lothian currently hold the title thanks to the efforts last season of Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver, and expectations were very high that this year’s banner-carriers Kennedy and Mellors would could go on and deliver a fifth title success in the event for the Garden County.

The action at Abbeyview saw the talented duo face Allander in the first round and they turned on the style to win that battle, 21-11.

Tweedbank provided the second round opposition and yet again they served up another strong performance to celebrate a 25-14 victory that secured their place in the third round.

Carrying the Saturday form over into Sunday’s play was a fresh challenge and Kennedy and Mellors never quite fired on as many cylinders in their clash with Midlothian’s strong pairing of Ronnie Duncan and Colin Walker – the outcome was a 24-18 defeat. In the ladies’ playdown action at East Fife IBC, the East Lothian challenge for the title was in the hands of the talented Hoggan sisters, Kim and Dee, but the pairing failed to find their best form and crashed out in the first round, a 23-20 victim to a strong pairing from Alloa.

The bowling stars of the future will be on parade at Meadowmill tomorrow (Saturday) as East Lothian IBC stage their annual Youth Team Championship tournament, with all the action getting under way at 9.30am.

Eleven sides from the length and breadth of Scotland will participate, with the eventual winning side capturing the East Lothian Council Trophy.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front at East Lothian IBC, the action in the pre-Christmas evening leagues came to a climax last week and when the dust settled in Division 1, John Henderson’s rink ended top of the pile, finishing four points ahead of joint runners-up Willie Wood nd Jamie Higgins.

Dropping through the relegation trapdoor into Division 2 are Robert Cunningham, Jock Robertson and Peter Laidlaw, while Chris Johnston will play David Currie in a play-off for continued top league status.

Peter Fallen is the Division 2 champion, finishing a comprehensive six points ahead of Mark McWilliams in second, while John McKellar grabbed the third promotion place.

Bill Fotheringham, Brian McKeown and Finlay Shearer drop down to Division 3.

Scott Mackintosh is the Division 3 champion, edging out runner-up Graham Robertson on overall shots aggregate, while Robert Walkinshaw grabbed the third promotion spot. Finally, East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club is now offering half-season memberships at a cost of £35 for full members and £20 for junior members, effective from January 1.

Anyone wishing to join should call into Meadowmill or apply online at elibc.co.uk Anyone wishing to enter any of the post-Christmas leagues should also apply online via elibc.co.uk or contact the match secretary as soon as possible.