East Lothian bowlers enjoy success at national championships

Jack Hunt and Nathan Gallagher stole the show for the first half of the national finals, with the West Barns youths still receiving compliments and admiration throughout the week.

However, the ladies’ and gents’ disciplines certainly did their part to rival the youngsters’ success over the second half of the week.

Wallyford’s Lucy Hogg claimed her first medal of the week as she secured bronze in the junior ladies’ singles and she would then head on to the ladies’ fours for the latter half of the week.

Port Seton sister duo Leanne Watt and Lauren Baillie-Whyte were on the quest for their fifth pairs title having won the crown in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Leanne Watt and Lauren Baillie-Whyte were looking for a fifth tile in Ayr

Wins against Campbeltown, Cupar and Townholm booked the first of the East Lothian slots in Saturday’s semi-final and guaranteed a medal return.

Cousin trio Laura McCrorie, Kim Hoggan and Dee Hoggan headed for Ayr looking to retain their national triples title from last year and booked their place in the semi-finals with wins against Kingswood, Galston and Kilwinning.

The Haddington gents’ triple of Colin Dick, Chris Brock and Calum Darling battled past Duffus Park, Port Glasgow and Pathhead to complete a super Saturday line-up for East Lothian.

The Wallyford ladies’ fours of Eilidh Ritchie, Audrey Robertson, Chloe Carson, alongside Hogg, also booked their place in the Saturday finals day with wins against Stenhousemuir, Annbank and Turriff.

Watt and Baillie-Whyte were the first to book their place in the national final with a to-and-fro battle unfolding against Dunning.

The sisters won three of the last five ends to progress 16-11, where they would face Creetown.

Tranent took full control of their semi-final against Thurso following a count of seven early in the tie and progressed 18-12.

The Haddington gents' triple of Colin Dick, Chris Brock, Calum Darling was in fine form in Ayr

Haddington would face Galston BC for a place in the final.

An initial close battle with ends traded did not unfold until end 12, with Haddington scoring three ends in succession to lead well over the closing stages, seeing out the tie 17-14.

Wallyford ladies were in full control of their semi-final and booked their place in the afternoon final with a 16-12 win over Newmills.

As expected in a national final, close encounters unfolded across the greens.

With the ties simultaneously playing out gold medal matches, spectators were torn between the stands throughout the afternoon.

Wallyford’s ladies started in dominant fashion against multiple winners Windygates, posing all the questions to their far more experienced counterparts.

Laura McCrorie, Kim Hoggan and Dee Hoggan came very close to retaining their national triples title

Port Seton and Tranent both found themselves in an exchange of low-scoring ends over the opening periods of play, with neither able to force ahead a significant advantage.

Haddington faced off against the triple from Quarter BC, skipped by mixed pairs gold medallist Scott Allardyce.

The Port Seton ladies headed up the last level in their tussle, knowing they would need to score at the last if they were to add to their four gold medals.

A full length jack added to the task as Baillie-Whyte’s final delivery left the mat, reaching the head and agonisingly failing to convert.

A single-shot defeat left the ladies a silver medal to celebrate.

Tranent ladies found themselves three shots adrift playing the last end against Baillieston.

Dee Hoggan would have an opportunity to remove the opposition bowl to count a three and force an extra end or move the jack three-foot and count a possible four and win the game, her final delivery making contact with the bowl but only moving the jack two-foot to score a double and miss out by just a single shot.

Haddington forced themselves ahead at end 13 – a five-shot lead was followed by a well-defended head at end 14, lying a single shot that would have one hand on the trophy and a single bowl from Allardyce to come, they could look on in disbelief as he successfully burnt the end with a precision drive.

The replayed 14th end unfolded in Quarter BC’s favour, scoring a four to leave the tie in the balance at the last.

Lucy Hogg enjoyed a national finals to remember as she also took bronze in the junior singles

An understandably cagey last end took place, with Quarter BC lying two shots and a title-winning lie, then Darling releasing his final bowl, but he could only look on in anguish as it feathered past the jack and through the gap.

The result left East Lothian celebrating three silver medals.

Meanwhile, in the ladies’ fours, Wallyford continued their strong start to dominate throughout the afternoon and game management took over in the closing stages before the fab four celebrated gold, 15-12.

Elsewhere, East Lothian Co-opperative Bowling Club have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Inter County Top 5.

A fine away win in Glasgow, followed by a comfortable home win against Westhill – Bon Accord sets up a quarter-final tie against Markinch (Fife) as they bid to reach finals day on September 13 at Sighthill Bowling Club.