Bowls: Miller the Master of shocks as he stuns Scots cap Mann

Published on Friday 5 August 2011 11:49

THOMAS MANN, the No.8 seed from Newbridge, was a fifth round faller in last night's action of the Scotmid-sponsored 13th West Lothian Masters, with the 30-year old Scotland Cap making a dramatic 21-20 exit to Ryan Miller of Buchan Park.

Miller hit the headlines in 2008 as an 18-year-old winner of the Champion of Champions title but he has been relatively quiet since, although now he's back in the limelight and through to the quarterfinals stage of the Masters.

The 21-year-old made a great start to lead 13-4 but then came under increasing pressure as Mann inched his way back into contention to hit the front at 18-17. Miller responded with a 2 to 20 then answered the loss of 2 singles with the winning single on end 23.

Gary Smith, the holder and No.1 seed from Linlithgow, added a full house 4 to have David Lawrie of Glenmavis at his 15-8 mercy. However, the 52-year-old Scotland cap found himself under pressure at 19-18 down before hitting 21 with a 1, 2 finish.

Grant Logan, the No.2 seed from Kirkliston and a two times winner of The Masters, raced into a 16-6 lead over David Forrest of Glenmavis but found himself menaced at 16-15 before adding 2, 2, 1 to win 21-15.

Neil Speirs, the No.4 seed from Kirkliston, won the Masters in 2002, and the 32-year-old kept himself in the frame for a second title success with a 1, 3, 2, 2, finish to beat Greg Baldry of East Calder, 21-7.

George Sneddon the No.7 seed from Broxburn, picked up the pace from 8-12 to beat Mark Graham of Queensferry, 21-14.

Buchan Park's Steven Fleming impressed from 8-9 to 17-9 and played well to beat Colin Hamilton of Philpstoun, 21-14.

Bathgate challengers Gerry Duggan (led 18-3) and Alan McCormick (led 15-5) held on to beat Stewart McMaster (Broxburn) and Scott Mushet (Philpstoun), 21-20 and 21-17 respectively. The final days play is at Linlithgow tomorrow at 11am.