Bowls: Hillside not dead yet after thrashing struggling Leith

Published on Wednesday 3 August 2011 12:08

The reputation of Hillside as the great survivors in Division 1 of the Alpha Trophies-sponsored Edinburgh Bowling League was boosted by a tremendous 8-1 away victory over Leith last night.

The penultimate result creates a lifeline for Hillside, who remain firmly in the relegation danger zone but now share the second-bottom spot with Leith going into next week's last round of fixtures.

The escape route for Hillside was mapped out by wins for the rinks skipped by Gary Muir, BJ Smith and Colin Bell, supported by a peel for Brian Irving and the bonus point from a 68-42 aggregate score.

Muir was the inspirational figure as he dashed into a 13-3 lead then skipped Jimmy Nisbet, John Newall and Peter Brown to a 19-5 win over Adam Davidson. Drew Dodds snatched a point for Leith with a single at the last to finish 12-12 with Irving.

Bottom club Goldenacre were finally sentenced to life in Division 2 following a 7-2 defeat at Northern, who now have a four-point cushion above Hillside and Leith. Craigentinny celebrated their third title success in a row following a 9-0 home win over Parkside, with wins for the rinks skipped by Andrew Caldwell, Andrew Jeffrey, Kevin McFarlane and Ian Paterson.

Wardie pepped up their Division 2 promotion challenge with a 9-0 home win over Summerside and lie second to Pilrig with Corstorphine in third.

Meanwhile, last night's third round of the West Lothian Masters, sponsored by Scotmid, saw four more of the 16 seeds being scattered to the wind making it nine in total so far.

Andrew Dunnett, the No.?5 seed from Queensferry, lost 21-17 exit to fellow Hamilton Trophy player Gerry Duggan of Bathgate. Ewan Shearer, the No.?6 seed from Bo'ness, suffered a 21-8 defeat from Colin Hamilton of Philpstoun.

Frazer Muirhead the No.?13 seed from Uphall Station, went out to a 21-15 defeat from Kirkliston's David Masterton, while Newbridge's No.?15 seed Drew Paterson lost 21-15 to David Forrest of Glenmavis.

Gary Smith, the holder and No.?1 seed from Linlithgow, marched on at the 21-16 expense of Frank Barker of Oakbank.