DEREK Oliver claimed the final piece of silverware for the 2022 outdoor bowls season in East Lothian, adding the title of Champion of Champions on Saturday for the third time.

Haddington Bowling Club welcomed the final four for this season’s Champion of Champions competition.

The early afternoon session pitted Oliver (Port Seton) against Adam Martin (Tranent), while Gordon White (Aberlady) took on Colin Dick (Haddington).

Oliver opened proceedings, showing all his pedigree in a 21-20 victory over Martin.

The Port Seton favourite made the early running before Martin responded and took the lead 15-12 with a full count of four late in the game.

Single shots exchanged hands before the first match-winning opportunity arrived.

Martin looked to turn the jack for three when on 18, narrowly failing and claiming a single shot instead of the trio required.

Two ends later, with the match poised at 20-18 in favour of the Tranent bowler, Oliver delivered the first bowl of a match-winning end, firstly trailing the jack off centre to leave Martin exposed.

The Tranent man momentarily drew the second shot in reply but Oliver was to make his last bowl count, removing Martin’s bowl for a 21-20 victory.

In the other semi-final, newly crowned Haddington champion Dick found himself in a battle with former Scottish singles winner White.

In a low-scoring affair, the pair were separated by just a single shot. In an effort to force a line on the rink, White went searching for a longer length with the jack.

The tactic paid dividends as he scored seven shots without reply to lead 14-9.

Dick responded with a one and two of his own to bring the match back within two at 14-12.

However, there was to be no reprieve from the former champion as White ran out three, two, two for a 21-12 victory.

After a short interval, Oliver and White contested the trophy and title of Champion of Champions.

Oliver raced to a 10-5 lead and settled the quicker on the championship rink but, as expected, White retaliated to level the match at 10-10.

Four ends without reply saw Oliver open a 16-10 lead as he took a grip on the tie.

With the score at 18-14, the first match-winning opportunity appeared: White drew three shots and looked to play positionally to cover the back of the rink only to fall short and add a fourth shot.

Oliver gladly accepted the invitation, running the jack to the ditch for the match-winning three shots required (21-14).