Kirkliston secure singles title No14
Record extended at expense of Glenmavis
Kirkliston turned on the style to clinch the WLBA Top Five Singles title with a 3-0 win over Glenmavis.
Kirkliston were bidding to extend their record number of title wins to 14 and the victory was triggered by the hat-trick of triumphs delivered by Neil Speirs, Calum Logan, and Grant Logan.
Speirs expected a tough challenge against Sandy McDougall but blitzed his opponent to the tune of 21-5 in 17 ends.
Calum Logan also raced out of the blocks with a powerful start to lead David Ross, 13-5, after nine ends then having come under pressure at 13-12 stormed to a 2112 victory.
It was a similar affair for Grant Logan against Brian Craig as he stormed to a 12-4 lead before being pegged back to 12-9 but eventually sealed a 21-14 win.
With the destination of the title well and truly wrapped up, the unfinished business saw Mark Allison leading Walter McDougall, 20-16, and Steven Forrest also in sight of the winning line at 17-13 up on Tam Whitfield.
Elsewhere, the semi-finals and final of the WLBA Seniors Open takes place today ( Thursday) at Glenmavis BC in Bathgate and the scene is set for a captivating climax to the ever popular annual event.
The opening spotlight will focus on Stuart Smith of Ratho with the reigning champion back in the picture and facing a challenge from his club mate Norrie Alexander in what is an intriguing semi- final re-run of the 2015 final. The other semi-final features Jack McLaren carrying the host club banner into action against recent WL Masters semi- finalist Bob Mackay of Armadale.
The games swing into action at 11am with the final following at 2pm.
Mackay will be hoping to continue his impressive form after he turned in several ace performances to turn up trumps in the West Lothian Seniors Champion of Champions staged at Winchburgh.
He survived an epic 26-end battle in the final to capture the title at the 21-18 expense of his Whitburn counterpart Blair Stewart having defeated Mick Whelen of Blackburn in the semis and Jim Anderson of Stoneyburn in the quarters.
Stewart moved on from 11-11 to gain a 14- 11 edge in the final and still had his nose in front at 16-15 but peels were called at 1818 then Mackay emerged from that melting pot to claim the crown with a sizzling finish.
Mackay had flashed strong signals of intent in his semi final where he accelerated from 8-8 to 21. His quarterfinal performance was highlighted his carding a four on end 19 to beat Jim Anderson of Stoneyburn, 21-13.
Meanwhile Stewart looked to be the man in form having zipped from 8-11 to 21 to stitch up former champ Gordon Logan then adding the 21-12 scalp of host club icon Ronnie Erskine in the semis.
Erskine had defeated Jim Paterson of Harrysmuir, 21-11 in his quarter-final while at the same stage Whelen accounted 21-14 for John Jamieson of Mid Calder.