Bowls: Pilrig begin their campaign for a third Edinburgh Cup

Published on Friday 26 June 2009 10:01

PILRIG, the 1998 and 2006 champions, launch their bid for a third success in the Specsavers Opticians Edinburgh Cup against Willowbrae tonight.

Division 2 Leith, the 2000 champions and twice runners-up, will require all their cup tradition against Division 1 opposition Goldenacre.

Mayfield won the trophy in 2002 and, although they are currently struggling in Division 3, have a chance of progressing against Division 4 Whitehouse & Grange.

Cup specialists Craigentinny enjoyed a first-round walkover against Civil Service and the three times title winners face defending champions Tanfield in a corker of a second-round clash to be played next Friday night.

There are 13 ties down for decision tonight with 624 players parading their skills.

Meanwhile, holders Carrick Knowe are beginning to look like champions in waiting as they increased their lead at the top of the Water of Leith First Sixteens League table with a super 5-0 home win over Gorgie Mills.

Chief rivals Sighthill slumped to a shock 3-2 home defeat to Beechwood and now trail Carrick Knowe by a substantial 8.5 points, albeit there are seven games of the 18-match programme still to be played.

"This is a tough league to win and some difficult battles lie ahead so there is no way we are counting our chickens," said Carrick Knowe's Colin Mitchell.

The expected title challenge from the normally-strong Slateford is also faltering and their surprise 4-1 defeat at Currie served as another major bonus for the leaders.

Indeed, Slateford have slipped back to fourth place, a daunting 13.5 points adrift of Carrick Knowe and 1.5 points adrift of Juniper Green, who moved up to third with a 4-1 home victory against Balerno.

Bainfield have performed poorly over the piece but showed a flash of their true potential with their 5-0 crushing of foot-of-the-table Colinton, however they are well off the pace in fifth position.

Sighthill are the front-runners in the race for the second Sixteens title and were in top form to score a 5-0 away win over Beechwood.

That result pushes them 8.5 points clear of Bainfield who won 4-1 away win over Colinton. Third-placed Carrick Knowe lost ground following a 3-2 defeat at Gorgie Mills.