Published: Thursday, 26th June, 2008 8:00am

County side pip rivals to quarter-final place

AN EPIC climax to the east section of the Scottish Counties Championship saw the county side edge victory over West Lothian by two shots.

The 133-131 win at Kirkliston last Saturday saw East Lothian leapfrog their rivals and grab runners-up spot to join section winners Midlothian in the knockout quarter-final stage.

They now face north section winners Aberdeen Kincardine at Broughty Castle in Dundee next Sunday.

Excellent wins on four rinks - skipped by Alex Marshall, Alister Kennedy, Steven Morgan and Derek Oliver just managed to compensate for a heavy loss sustained by Willie Wood. While there was a much narrower loss for Struan Robertson.

Marshall emerged the top performer of the day as he skipped captain Gary Murray, David Sked and Steven Glen into a 20-6 lead over Neil Spiers, then answered the loss of seven shots on two ends with a timely 3, 2 reply to win 25-13.

Chief support came from Kennedy as he skipped Grant Thomson, Norrie Cochrane and Colin Bonner into 30-13 lead over John Aitken but suffered blips on the last couple of ends before winning 30-22.

Morgan came from 9-4 down to skip Brian Bird, Brian Young and Brian Hunter to a 22-15 win over Raymond Logan.

Wood and his rink of Ronnie Branley, Derek Logie and Stevie Thomson had what can only be described as a bad day at the office as they were on the wrong end of a 34-5 drubbing.

Tranent were the main movers in last Friday night"s Division 1 action in the East Lothian Leagues. The Polson Park side went to the top of the table following a 6-2 home win over bottom side Ormiston.

Five-in-a-row title holders Port Seton topped the table going into last Friday night"s fixtures but Macmerry served up the shock of the night with the early season strugglers scoring a magnificent 8-0 away win.

West Barns showed vastly improved form as they stopped their recent rot with a 6-2 home win over East Linton. Castlepark improved their lowly position with a hard fought 4-4 share of the spoils at Aberlady to leapfrog Ormiston who now occupy bottom rung.

In tonight"s (Friday"s) Division 1 leaders Tranent make the short trip to Macmerry. Title holders Port Seton will hope to get back to winning ways, but face a stern test at East Linton.

EL-Coop return to action after their idle week as they visit foot of the table Ormiston, while struggling Castlepark welcome West Barns.

Second placed Aberlady have an idle week.

The County Cup hasn"t had long to wait for company in the trophy cabinet at Port Seton after they captured the ELBA Brown Trophy silverware at Polson Park (Tranent) last Sunday with a strong display to beat Longniddry in the final.

The champagne corks were also popping at Haddington after they produced a grandstand finish to pip Castlepark at the post in the East Lothian News Trophy final at East Linton.