Bowls: Porty pile up the points in League Cup

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 09:32

PORTOBELLO are four points off the pace but moved into second place behind East Lothian with a handsome 79-54 home victory over West Lothian in the East B section of the Seniors League Cup.

"That's a hat-trick of wins for us after losing our opening two matches so we are feeling pleased. However, being able to catch undefeated leaders East Lothian is a different story," said Portobello's Tony McLaren.

They made a strong start and were leading 56-32 after 10 ends with all four rinks in the ascendancy.

McLaren skipped Rab Stewart, John McLeod and Ronnie Andrews into a 15-2 lead after seven ends and, although dropping a six at the next, they were always doing enough to beat George Rarity, 20-13.

Ronnie Douglas also made a spectacular start to lead Peter Ball 13-1 after eight ends and remained untroubled to triumph 22-8. However, Alex Walker found life much harder against John Murphy and was fully extended to edge an 18-17 win.

BJ Smith carded 1, 2, 2, 1, 6 to lead 12-0 and, although unable to sustain that pace, did manage to win 19-16 and so complete an impressive clean sweep.

East Lothian did not play while, elsewhere in the section, Midlothian scored an 81-52 home win over foot-of-the-table Tweedbank and Bainfield won 64-58 away to Balbardie.

Meanwhile, Portobello ladies' champion Izzy Dixon put in an exciting run in the play down action of the national singles at Midlothian IBC although she failed book a place in the semi-finals. Dixon enjoyed a thrilling 21-19 win over Aileen Law of East Kilbride in the first round proper then made comfortable 21-13 progress against Annette Christie of Dumbarton to reach the quarter-finals.

But, she then lost 17-21 to full cap Caroline Brown of Blantyre whose CV includes three junior singles titles.

Anna Anderson of Bainfield opened her challenge with a 21-14 win over Val Sneddon of Fintry but made a 21-7 exit to twice junior champion Michelle Cooper of Ardrossan in the second round.

However, Lorraine Malloy is back in the national headlines with the 43-year old Scottish outdoor singles champion from Spring Grove carrying the Balbardie IBC banner into the semi-finals of the indoor version, beating Midlothian

champion Sandra McLeish 21-16 in the quarter-finals.

West Lothian IBC champion Angie Uttley was a 21-16 victim of McLeish in the second round.