Pairs flop in bid to mount national challenge

West Lothian IBC was a cauldron of excitement thanks to the climax of several National Championships being staged over the weekend.

But it was disappointing that the buzz of the large crowd at Inveralmond Stadium in Livingston wasn’t generated by the standard of play served up by the host club challengers.

Ex pe c t at io n s w e re particularly high that the home stars, Thomas Mann and Calum Logan, would give the local support something to cheer about in their bid to capture the 2Bowl Pairs crown.

But any dreams of title glory were crushed in their semi- final clash against Colin and Jason Banks of Garioch with the host club partnership well outgunned, 9-5 and 10-5, in a two sets to nil defeat.

And there wasn’t even the satisfaction of bowing out to the eventual champions as Garioch lost in the final to Blantyre.

More pain was to come for the home support who were looking for a bold effort from their stadium champion Lisa Barrett in the Ladies’ Singles but she failed to shine in her semi-final and suffered a miserable 21- 3 defeat to Caroline Brown of Blantyre.

Brown continued her strong form in the final to beat 2007 champion Claire Johnston of Auchinleck, 21-11.

East Lothian also suffered double disappointment with Dougie Berwick crushed 21- 5 in the Gents’ Singles by Martin Williamson of Ardrossan who in turn lost to Paul Foster MBE in the final.

Foster – who had walked over against host club ace Neil Speirs in the semi-finals – won the final 21-14.

Kim Hoggan carried EL hopes in the Ladies Junior Singles but was always operating off the back foot in a 21-12 defeat from Carla Banks of Garioch who went to capture the title at the 2110 expense of Dumbarton challenger Emma McIntyre.

Jack Macnab carried the Midlothian banner into battle in the Gents’ Junior Singles and put up a bold show in a fightback from 1-10 but was edged out 21- 19 by Mark O’Hagan of Blantyre.

O’Hagan met his match in the final where Andrew Thomson of Aberdeen sealed a 21-15 win in 23 ends.

Jason Banks of Garioch looked the likely winner in the Under-21 Singles when he led Greg McLaughlin of Blantyre, 14- 9 and 16- 14 but a whirlwind run saw the Lanarkshire support cheer a 21-16 victory for McLaughlin.

The final of the Ladies 2Bowl Pairs saw Margaret Letham and Caroline Brown of Blantyre beat Angela and Carla Banks of Garioch by two sets to nil victory.