SCOTTISH TITLE FOR DARTS ACE BORLAND
Young gun is Scottish Masters Singles champ
East Calder darts ace William Borland has followed in the name of some of the game’s top stars after being crowned Scottish Masters Singles champion.
The 20-year-old adds his name to a winners’ list that includes the likes of Gary Anderson and Jocky Wilson after a stunning performance in Glenrothes.
Borland plays for Kirknewton Inn on Friday nights in the Bathgate and District League as well as Cawburn Assassins of the West Calder and District League on Monday evenings and eased his way into the semi-finals with a string of terrific results.
He showed no signs of the pressure getting to him in the latter stages of the competition as he scored a 5-0 clean sweep in the semi-final against international player Alan Souter.
The youngster then defeated Fife’s Jamie Clark 5-3 in the final to send shockwaves through the sport and earn the plaudits of his fellow players. The victory, which came with a handy £700 in prize money, means that Borland will play in the World Masters event in Bridlington later this year.
Elsewhere in the West Lothian darts scene, the Stewart Tait League Cup was up for grabs for the top eight players from the Summer League qualifying tournament battling it out for the trophy at the Stirrup Stane.
Mick Burke and Gordon Bruce were able to seal clean-sweep 5-0 victories in the first round against Frank Begley and Arran Edwards respectively, while Craig Agnew defeated Brian McIntyre 5-3 and Scott Baillie eased past Gary Christie 5-1 to book his place in the semi-finals.
Bruce was once again in peak form as he booked his place in the final with a stunning 6-1 triumph over Agnew while the clash between Burke and Baillie was a classic, going down to the final leg with Burke just edging his way into the showdown. And it was Bruce who got his hands on the trophy with a 7-6 triumph to complete a brilliant day of darts.
He was the most consistent performer on show as he led the way with 10 sub-20 dart legs as well as two excellent 100+ finishes and a 180 on his way to the title.