Bowls: East Lothian in fine form for a high five

Published on Wednesday 16 December 2009 10:32

EAST LOTHIAN'S bid to extend their grip on the indoor bowls Premier League to a fifth consecutive title remains on track as they enter the festive break as joint leaders of the B section.

They share the 12-point mark with Blantyre but have a shot margin advantage of 48 ahead of tackling Coatbridge away and Falkirk at home when play resumes early in the New Year.

Blantyre thumped bottom side Dundee 112-53 in their latest fixture and will visit Aberdeen then entertain Coatbridge at home in their climax to the section play.

East Lothian have found Aberdeen troublesome in the past but managed to keep their bandwagon rolling with a commanding 85-55 home triumph over them with winning contributions coming from the rinks skipped by Alex Marshall, Graham Robertson and Willie Wood.

Marshall emerged the highest flyer for the fourth time in a row as he cashed in on a blistering 13-1 start to skip Mal Higgenbotham, Stevie Thomson and team captain James Hogg to a 27-9 win.

Robertson made a pleasing return to winning form and skipped John Stevenson, Brian Wyllie and Scott Kennedy to a 21-14 success.

Wood and his front three of Colin Cook, Dougie Berwick and Andrew Jeffrey added a 19-13 triumph however the rink of Mark Johnston, Ross Thomson, Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver were just pipped in a 19-18 thriller.

West Lothian IBC also go into the break as serious challengers for the honours in the A section, although they are two points adrift of leaders Lanarkshire.

WL produced a good team performance at home against Arbroath to triumph 108-60.