Saunders is man to watch in seniors finals
The climax to the ever-popular and fiercely competitive Weslo Seniors Open is staged at Glenmavis Bowling Club today (Thursday).
Both semi-finals and the final are down for decisions and the outcome is certain to see a new name inscribed on the coveted trophy.
Robert Saunders of Whitburn is the eye-catching name in the semi-finals line-up. The recently-crowned District Champion continues to serve up exciting performances, the latest of which was his commanding 21-9 win over Ritchie Templeton of Bathgate in Tuesday’s quarter-finals action at Mid Calder.
He has certainly been the man to watch in the early rounds this term and will go into the final day confident that he can get his hands on the trophy.
However, Queensferry’s Brian Walker seriously blocks Saunders’pathway into the final.
A battle-hardened campaigner in the mainstream of the sport, he showed strong form in the quarter-finals to beat John Weir of Whitburn 21-10.
The other half of the Weslo draw features David Peel of West Calder against John Collins of Middleton Hall.
Peel booked his place in the semis with an encouraging 21-16 win over John Eveleigh of Watson Memorial while Collins impressed with the 21-16 capture of the scalp of strongly-fancied title contender Norrie Alexander.
The Ratho man was expected to book his place in the final four but came up against an impressive Collins, who showed he has what it takes.
Bankton Mains in Livingston is the centre of the bowls scene in West Lothian this weekend, with 29 club champions in competition for the coveted Burnside Trophy and the honour of being crowned the Bankton Mains-sponsored WLBA Champion of Champions.
The first and second round action on Saturday has session times of 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm. The quarter-finals on Sunday begin at 11am and are followed later that day by the semifinals (1.30pm) and final at 4pm.
The first session features some brilliant matches, with the card as follows: Eric Miller (Watson Memorial) v Robert Hamilton (Pumpherston), John Sneddon (Deans) v Glen King (West Calder), Brian Clarkson (Winchburgh) v Johnnie Hardie (Letham), Shaun Cairns (Harrysmuir) v Kevin McConnell (Armadale), Andy Forrest (Middleton Hall) v Jim Anderson (Stoneyburn).
The second session on Saturday will see the following fixtures: Gary Smith (Linlithgow) v Grant Ramsay (East Calder), Billy Johnston (Harthill) v Callum McLean (Oakbank), Davie Hay (Polbeth) v Craig Gullane (Broxburn), Andy McMeechan (Bankton Mains) v Norrie Alexander (Ratho), Craig Yeaman (Bellsburn) v James Speirs (Newbridge).
The following players have been handed byes into the second round: Danny Love (Spring Grove), Stewart McKie (Kinneil), Ian Drysdale jnr (Bathgate), Alan Baird (Seafield), David Turnbull (Mid Calder).
The West Lothian Courier will give you a full report of the action in next week’s paper.