Shock national singles defeats

The early season form of club champions Craig Moss of West Lothian IBC and his Balbardie IBC counterpart Andy Forrest did not reflect their often-proven talents and they paid the price with early exits in the playdown action of the National Singles Championship.

Both champions were familiar enough with both the carpet and environment of the Falkirk IBC venue but failed to do themselves any justice as they crashed out with very heavy defeats.

Moss faced a 12-7 deficit after 14 ends then was sledgehammered by losses of 2, 2, 2,1, 2 to be crushed 21-7 in his preliminary round clash with Ross Carlin of Dundee.

Forrest soon trailed 10-5 after 10 ends in his first round challenge against Kevin Pirie of Aberdeen then bit the dust six ends later as his opponent raced to 21 with counts of 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1.

Balbardie seniors scored an excellent 57-51 away win over Headwell to make it two wins out of two in the East B section of the national league. Yesterday’s fixture was at home to Falkirk while next week’s match is an extremely tough one away to East Lothian.

West Lothian were at home to Fintry in yesterday’s East A match while next week’s fixture is an away visit to a very good Stirling side.

West Lothian gents launch their Premier League campaign in Division A this Saturday with a long trek to Fraserburgh and the following team has been announced:

Rink 1 - David Wilson snr, Ian Drysdale (captain), Bryan Cooper and Neil Speirs.

Rink 2 - Blair Mackie, Connor McKendrick, Raymond Logan and Mark Allison.

Rink 3 - Nathan McKendrick, George Sneddon, Jamie Aitken, and Craig Moss.

Rink 4 - Richard Mark, Calum Black, Gary Orr and James Speirs.

Balbardie visit Auchinleck in the B section of Division 1 as they look to get their campaign up and running in style.

West Lothian ladies put up a bold display in their visit to Teviotdale in the opening match of their campaign in Division 1 East but lost 64-62.

Balbardie ladies enter the scene this Saturday and it is a real cracker of a fixture as they go head to head in a local derby confrontation at home to West Lothian.