Bowls: Smith's trio collapse to defeat at Northfield

Published on Thursday 28 July 2011 13:25

LORNA SMITH'S Linlithgow trio were left reeling after blowing a 19-7 lead to exit 20-19 to Galston High in yesterday's triples play in the joint Bowls Scotland Championships at Ayr Northfield.

It was the second year in a row that Louise Orr, Paula Kilgallon and Smith had suffered heartbreak, having been controversial losers in last season's semi-finals due to an administration mix-up between officials and an umpire.

Their gloom was shared by the Bainfield trio of Liz McIntyre Kate McVey and Anna Anderson, who had led 14-9 and still had victory in their grasp at 16-15 before the loss of two singles saw them suffer an extra end defeat from Townend.

Craigentinny, however, made no mistakes against Kirkintilloch with Jacky McFarlane, Marie Monteith and Elizabeth McConnell pushing on from 8-6 to triumph 15-8.

That winning feeling spread to the Craigentinny gents trio of Darren Smith, Gary Nisbet and Andrew Caldwell, who blazed a 19-4 trail after nine ends and made comfortable 23-14 progress against Mosspark.

Gorgie Mills also gave the large Edinburgh support reason to cheer with Scott Purvis, Archie Priestley and Kevin Jamieson racing from 4-4 to 16-5 and defeating Claremount 17-10.

Deantown Welfare opened with a magnificent 7 then three ends later added a mighty 5 to lead 12-4 and James Douglas went on to skip Robert Chapman and Davd King to a 22-12 win over Mount Florida.

The East Lothian support cheered Andrew Pringle, Billy Dunleavey and Jim Pringle to an 18-8 win over Rothesay, but the strongly-fancied Kirkliston trio of Andrew Suddon, Greg Logan and Grant Logan made a 19-12 exit to Law.

Queensberry made a strong show in their opening game in the fours with District 11 champions Scott Walker, Jim McDougall, Brian Pollard and Frank O'Reilly zipping into a 15-3 lead then stitching up Titwood 19-13.

Carrick Knowe made it an Edinburgh double with Graham Pringle, Craig Aitken, Richard Tough and James Hogg storming to a 16-11 win from 10-4 down to Killermont and set up a clash with Craig Valentine, Gordon Baillie, Steven Morgan and Derek Oliver of Port Seton, who beat Renton 15-11.

Gilmerton beat Holytown 26-7 and Broxburn beat Blacklandmill 16-11 to make it a full house for Edinburgh and the Lothians in the Fours.