THE members of East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club found themselves quickly back in the competitive spotlight after a near-18-month lay-off as they looked to complete a congested fixture card of outstanding competitions from the 2019/20 season.
The coveted singles crowns were first on the agenda, with newly crowned Scottish pairs winner Billy Mellors looking to capture his sixth title against the legendary figure of Graham Robertson, himself chasing a fourth indoor title to add to his impressive bowling CV.
Mellors made the early running in the tie, pushing on to a 10-2 lead as he threatened to run away convincingly with the title.
However, Robertson had different ideas on the matter, showing experience to score a hat-trick of ends and apply some pressure. But Mellors returned the favour in kind to secure the gents’ singles crown for the sixth time, running out a 21-14 winner.
Dee Hoggan and Emma Logan took centre stage for the women’s showpiece.
Both international team-mates with more than 50 junior and senior caps between them, the expectations for this tie were high and it delivered.
An excellent display of drawing had the crowd well entertained for the evening.
Logan showed nerves of steel and secured her first indoor title, 21-15.
Lewis Betts has proven no stranger to a title or two since joining the club and he had his eyes set on a third junior crown. Aaron McGlynn posed the challenge this time around.
Both youngsters showed exactly why they are held in such high regard within the club and across the bowling set up.
A ding-dong battle, with the lead changing hands numerous times in the tie, eventually saw Betts find the winning formula.
The scores were tied at 18-18 before Betts went on to secure his hat-trick of junior title wins, 21-18.
Next up saw the seniors battle it out for the singles titles. Janet Fairnie and Mags Thomson took to rink three in an unusual circumstance.
Often team-mates within the Saturday squad, the best-friend pairing found themselves on the opposite side of the scorecard in the ladies’ senior singles.
Fairnie was looking to add to her 2018/19 crown and Thomson was chasing her first title.
Fairnie showed all her experience with a great display of drawing and head building to become back-to-back ladies’ senior champion 21-15.
Meanwhile, Dougie Berwick and Ali McKenna completed the singles card for the 2019/20 singles titles.
Berwick, a previous gents’ singles winner, was looking to add the senior title to his indoor achievements.
However, McKenna proved a stern test with some excellent conversion play and drawing to secure the title for himself 21-18.
This Saturday, the gents’ squad return to action as they welcome Blantyre to Meadowmill.
It’s the toughest test of the season so far as the team look to capitalise on home advantage as they aim to make it three successive wins.
The senior team make the trip south as they visit Tweedbank on Wednesday, determined to keep up the pressure at the top of East Section B.
The women’s team find themselves without a league fixture and return to action in the Scottish Cup.
They will face Ardrossan at Falkirk on November 13.
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