Highland fling is on for WL
West Lothian take on Highland at Kirriemuir in Saturday’s semi-final of the Hamilton Trophy and there is raised hope following a spirited performance to beat Lanarkshire West in the previous round.
Highland represents shock opposition and it’s hats off to them for a stunning victory over defending champions, and hot title favourites, Lanarkshire South in a result that must command the respect of the bowling world at large in Scotland.
West Lothian are now aware of the red for danger signal that is flashing so are unlikely to sleepwalk into a potential nightmare scenario as they pursue their ambition to capture the Holy Grail Trophy of the Cities and Counties Championship.
Team manager Gordon Logan covers the enforced absence of Bryan Cooper with the introduction of emerging Kirkliston star Robbie Cuthill whose selection at lead to Neil Speirs pushes Scott Logan up to second.
The other semi final features Edinburgh and Leith against Bon Accord at Glasgow venue Bellahouston.
Wins on the rinks skipped by Neil Speirs, Steven Fleming and Raymond Logan, plus a peel for Andrew Dunnett inspired West Lothian to a battling 10 shot victory (117-107) that saw narrow defeats suffered by Grant Logan and Thomas Mann.
Speirs made the most significant contribution in the shape of a strong 8-0 finish over the final five ends to skip Scott Logan, Bryan Cooper, and Gary Orr to a 22-10 win.
The final of The Rosebery Cup (1882) played on a splendid East Calder surface was a great spectacle for the large banking in attendance with the players of both Newbridge and Whitburn parading their skills with great enthusiasm.
Played over an extended 21 ends that takes many club bowlers into unfamiliar territory, the test of stamina was best answered by Newbridge.
Whitburn’s record 27 wins are a legend of The Rosebery but their last triumph was in 1984 so there was a great buzz of excitement in the air when, showing spirit and enthusiasm, they powered into a 42-30 lead after 10-ends.
However, Newbridge showed great resilience to bounce off the ropes and wins on the rinks skipped by Jamie Aitken and Blair Mackie, plus a peel for James Speirs Jr.
That covered the defeat of Thomas Mann and delivered a 87-75 victory to celebrate a second Rosebery success.
Mann had looked destined for a result damaging mauling at 18-4 down after 10-ends to a rampant James Ure Jr, Rab Saunders, Dean McNeill and James Halliday.
In company with Bobo Forrest, Robert Rayner and Alec Allan, they were able to keep pace for the rest of the contest and their defeat of only eight shots (26-18) when things could have been significantly uglier was a key factor in the team’s overall victory.
Aitken lost five shots on his opening end but recovered magnificently to skip Stuart Bremner, Ian Greer and Paul Sweeney to a 30-16 win that included a gilt-edged finish of five and two against Cammy Mighton.
Blair Mackie crossed from 4-10 to 17-10 with a stunning run of 18 shots over fours ends, including a card of five, to defeat Colin Fraser, 22-16.
James Speirs peeled 17-17 with Peter Lynch as Newbridge were crowned Roseberry Cup champions.