DARTS STOCK CARS
Back in action
Armadale Stadium will be hosting an event for the first time this year when the British Youth Championship come to West Lothian
East Calder pro William Borland was back in action on the PDC Tour as he took part in the PDC Home Tour II on Monday.
The 23-year-old is in his second season on the tour and claimed two wins from his six matches.
The youngster started off his bid to top Group Four in fine fashion with a comfortable 5- 1 victory over Harald Leitinger before being edged in a final leg thriller by James Wilson, who sits 44th in the PDC rankings.
A noteworthy 5-1 triumph over former World Championship runner-up Andy Hamilton was unfortunately followed by three successive defeats as Borland finished sixth in the group.
Meanwhile, Livingston-born world champion Peter Wright sealed his place in the semi-finals of the 2020 Premier League Darts.
The pandemic put a halt on the season in March after just six events - but returned in late August with the final 10 events played across a fortnight in Milton Keynes with Wright sealing second place.
He completed the campaign on Saturday night with an 8-5 victory over Michael Smith to ensure he claimed the runner-up spot.
He is set to take on Nathan Aspinall in the semi-final in October as he bids for his first ever Premier League crown.
SPEEDWAY
Speedway racing is set to return to Armadale Stadium for the first time this year as it plays host to the fourth round of the 2020 British Youth Championship on Septembe 19.
Following confirmation from Sportscotland, West Lothian Council and the speedway authorities, the stadium will showcase many of the brightest young talents in British speedway.
Both the Edinburgh Monarchs and Armadale Devils have seen their 2020 seasons cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the announcement means there will be speedway in West Lothian - although the event be behind closed doors.
Monarchs co-promoter John Campbell said: “It is with great excitement that we announce the return of speedway to Armadale after what has been a tough number of months for many people.
“As a Club it is our ethos to develop riders so hosting a round of the British Youth Championship is very much in this vein. Over 20 young British riders will be involved in what I am sure will be a fantastic afternoon.”
While fans may not be allowed to attend, they will be able to watch the drama unfolding on the Monarchs’ new live streaming service.
After months of uncertainty, Campbell said he was delighted to finally get the go-ahead to host the event, saying: “Very early on following the postponement of the start of the season we began drawing up plans to get back racing at Armadale in a manner that is safe for all.
“We now have approval from all of the necessary bodies meaning that we can get back on track and the required work has been carried out so that Armadale is compliant with all of the guidelines.
“In recent seasons we have been developing our Live Streaming service and this stands us in good stead in the current environment. All being well, there are further plans in place to stage more action at Armadale and the intention is to try to get fans back in the stadium once Scottish Government guidance allows.”
He added: “For now though, I am pleased that all will be able to tune in to the Monarchs’ official website to watch the action unfold live.”
David Philp from Seafield was amongst a big field of drivers in the Micro F2 formula at Skegness over the weekend and whilst a win eluded him he was consistent over the two days.
On Saturday he picked up an 11th as well as a seventh and a fourth placed finishes before tallying two seventh places and a 12th the following day.
Meanwhile, West Lothian drivers will be in action in competitive stock car racing once again at the Cowdenbeath Racewall in Fife after the announcement that racing will get underway on September 19.
BASKETBALL
The West Lothian Wolves are recruiting players across all age groups for the start of the new season.
The club have male and female teams competing at regional level at under-10, under-12 and under-14 before making the step up to National League level with the under-16 and under-18 teams and senior.
Anyone keen to get involved is advised to contact basketballdevelopment@ westlothianwolves.com.