Bowls: Caldwell cashes in with great win over Barclay

Published on Friday 15 May 2009 10:00

ANDREW CALDWELL stepped up his bid for the Edinburgh & Leith Under-25 Singles title with a commanding 21-15 first-round victory over Paul Barclay of Goldenacre at Maitland Bowling Club last night.

The 23-year-old Craigentinny star stepped up the pace from 9-7 with an acceleration to 20-9 but then had to wait another four ends before carding the single that took him through to the last 32 stage.

Caldwell captured the national crown back in 2005 but has yet to etch his name on the local James Fleming Trophy although he came close when falling to Colin Hutchison in last year's final.

Two of his main rivals are already sidelined with Hutchison of Goldenacre making a shock exit to Darren Prentice of Northern in the prelim round and Caldwell himself accounting for 2002 champion Paul O'Donnell of Bainfield.

Prentice failed to reproduce his prelim round form last night and made a 21-15 exit to Colin Tough of Carrick Knowe at Merchiston.

John McDermott of Sighthill is a past winner of the title (2003) and the 22-year-old was in cracking form to beat C Johnston of Caledonian 21-13 at Niddrie having zipped from 5-5 to 19-7 in the space of eight ends.

Hillside star Gary Muir – a winner of the Edinburgh Bowling League equivalent – looked to be a comfortable winner in waiting when leading Ross Byers of Colinton 10-2 and 20-14 at Northern.

Byers closed to 20 with a 2, 1, 1 and 2 fightback but 23-year-old Muir produced a brilliant noser with his first bowl at the next end and it survived onto the card for a 21-20 victory.

Muir was joined in the second round by club-mate Adam Boath, who stole a march on Derek Smith of Parkside to lead 9-1 at Slateford but he came under pressure at 17-16 before hitting 21 with a 2, 1 and 1 finish.

A second 21-20 thriller saw 17-year old Jamie Reid of Craigentinny stand peels at 12, 14 and 17 with Craig Aitken of Carrick Knowe at Braid then lose a 3 to 20 but hit back with a 4 to snatch a dramatic victory.

Gio Di Ponio of Willowbrae stormed into the next round with a 21-8 win over David McIntyre of Carrick Knowe at Lutton Place.

Euan Craig carried the Pilrig banner forward with a 21-8 win over D Randall of Mayfield at Bainfield.

Elsewhere last night the Ramsay brothers – Gordon and Andrew – of Slateford scored a 21-11 win over Colinton partnership Alex Stark and Jimmy Watson in the prelim round of the E&L Coronation Pairs at Postal.