Bowls: Mackintosh into the last four of national Singles

Published on Saturday 1 August 2009 11:35

THE opportunity of title glory will knock for Scott Mackintosh when the District 11 champion lines up in the last four of the Singles in the national bowling championships that conclude at Ayr Northfield tomorrow.

The ten-times champion of London Road Foundry faces Graham Jardie of Milton of Campsie in the morning semi finals with the winner tackling the winner between Ayrshire hopefuls Alister Reid of Seafield and David Crawford of Galston.

Yesterday's chief highlight in the Singles was a quarter-final clash between Mackintosh and and his District 12 counterpart Robert Marshall of Slateford, both having won their morning second round ties in good but different style.

Mackintosh was severely tested at 15-10 down to Hugh Smith of Stonehouse before fighting back to win 21-17 in 25-ends.

Marshall, in contrast, hit the ground running to lead Gary Mortimer of Causewayhead (Stirling) 12-1 after eight ends before clinching a 21-4 triumph in 14 ends.

And to heighten Lothians interest in the destination of the championships' Blue Riband title the two Edinburgh & Leith challengers were joined in the third round by Jim Pringle of Aberlady.

Marshall came into his clash with Mackintosh as the overall title favourite and also with the form line of having scored a commanding victory over his opponent when they clashed in last seaons final of The Tait Trophy.

Mackintosh however took scant notice of their personal history and proceeded to tear up the form book with a strong opening to lead 12-2 after 9-ends.

Marshall at his point was matching the weather which had changed from bright and settled in the morning to a dismal drizzle in the afternoon.

The 45-year-old Slateford ace needed a large dose of inspiration and the first flash came at the next end when a perfectly judged trail produced a three-shot reward to 5.

Marshall wisely held onto the jack and switched the length from short to long and that sparked further counts of 2, 1, 1, 1 to 9, lifting his own spirits and that of his support.

The revival looked set to continue with a good hold at the next end but massive misfortune from a tight last bowl delivery resulted in him promoting Mackintosh in for a single to 13.

Mackintosh promptly returned to a short jack and benefited with a count of 3 to 16. Marshall did reply with a 2 to 11 but then miscast the jack into the ditch and found himself back to the short version once again.

Mackintosh – who had seemed to be wilting – had now weathered the storm and produced some good stuff to keep Marshall at bay to finish a worthy 21-12 winner.

Meanwhile Jim Pringle was serving up some delighful bowls but was engaged in a ding-dong battle with Graham Jardine.

The East Lothian champion held two good shots to go peels from 18-16 down but made an abrupt exit when his rival produced a last bowl trail for a 3 to 21.

Chris Steven of Pilrig reached the last 8 of the junior singles only to make an unbelievable 21-3 exit to Kevin Wallace of Clackmannan.

Steven was joined on the sidelines by strong Port Seton hope Derek Oliver who collapsed from 14-13 up to 21-14 defeat from Elliot Reid of Westermains.

Tanfield are through in the Pairs with Alec Thompson and Graeme mcIntosh beating Hawick then converting an 11-4 lead into a 21-8 win over Ayr Craigie.

But Sighthill's Allan Scott and Alan Trotter bowed out having defeated Meigle, 14-13, but losing 15-13 to Lockerbie.

However late drama saw Davy Ross and Sandy McDougall of Glenmavis (Bathgate) first beat Cullen 17-12 then land a last end three to beat St Vincent, 14-12,

Extra end drama in the Triples saw Port Seton edge Stenhousemuir 16-15 while West Barns made the last day at the 17-12 expense of Houldsworth but Tranent blew a 15-10 lead in the Fours by conceding 1, 5, 3 on the run in to Whitehill, Aberdeen.