Forde is Weslo Seniors Open winner
Mike Forde of Kinneil Bowling Club in Bo’ness is the 2018 champion of the coveted Weslo Seniors Open having captured the crown of the over-60s branch with victory in the final day climax at Glenmavis BC in Bathgate.
Wins over Alister Wilson of Linlithgow and 2015 champion Stuart Smith of Ratho were both achieved in grand 21-11 style.
The semi-final action saw Forde show serious intent against Wilson by exploding into a 10-0 lead and although his opponent battled well enough to register 11 shots, Forde was always the dominant figure and he clinched his pace in the final.
The other semi featured a clash between former champions Smith and Gordon Scott (2012) of Armadale and it was living up to its high expectations when Scott added a four and three to stand peels at 11-11 after 13-ends.
Peels were called again at 12 and 13, however Scott remained trapped in the bowlers graveyard figure for the next six ends allowing Smith to bolt out of it and reach 21 to win in 23- ends.
An opening highlight to the final of The Weslo saw Forde hit the lids to race into a 7-0 lead but Smith then caused a stir among the watching banking with a fightback that put him bang in the picture at 7-7 after 10- ends.
Forde arrested his slide with a retaliation to 12 then answered the loss of a double with a reply that earned him a 16-9 supremacy after 16-ends.
Smith then carded two singles to 11 but that sign of a potential menace from him was well and truly crushed by Forde’s grandstand style run that swept him over the finishing line a triumphant 21-11 winner in 21 ends.
Deans BC is the centre of attraction this weekend with the Livingston club of many legends playing host to, and sponsoring, the last of the 2018 WLBA Majors in the shape of The Champion of Champions.
The field features 29 champions and includes world stage figures Neil Speirs of Kirkliston and George Sneddon of Broxburn as well as the youngest ever Scottish and British champion in Frazer Muirhead of Uphall Station plus record five time Champion of Champions, Ewan Shearer from Linlithgow.
The morning session on Saturday sees: Robert Hamilton (Pumpherston) v Greg Baldry (East Calder); Seafield v Neil Speirs; David Rodgers (Glenmavis) v Ewan Shearer; Blackburn v John Eveliegh (Watson Memorial); Norrie McGilivray (Oakbank) v John Kerr (Armadale) and Steven Jenkins (Bankton Mains) v Glen King (West Calder).
The noon session features: Shaun Cairns (Harrysmuir) v Winchburgh; Colin Fraser (Whitburn) v Bathgate; Richard Lee (Letham) v Stephen King (Queensferry); Middleton Hall v James Robertson (Deans); Charlie Skellett (Ratho) v Sandy Bryant (Bridgeness) and Jim Gow (Mid Calder) v Graeme Turnbull (Springgrove).
The 2pm session includes Frazer Muirhead v George Sneddon while the 4pm session includes Raymond McKenzie (Polbeth), Alan Baff (Philpstoun) and Jack Murphy (Bellsburn).
The play on Sunday features the quarter-finals at 11am the semis at 1.30pm. The final gets underway at 4pm.