Holder Dunnett recovers to just scrape through

Published on Thursday 24 July 2008 10:59

DEFENDING champion Andrew Dunnett scraped through into the fourth round of the West Lothian Bowls Masters but seeds George Sneddon, Raymond Logan and Stewart McMaster all fell in last night's third round action.

Dunnett, of Kirkliston, clashed with Mike Nelson – a double County singles champion and Edinburgh Open finalist – on his own green at Broxburn and a 26-end thriller climaxed in a 21-20 win for the No.1 seed.

Nelson recovered from 8-1 down to cross 13-9 then had first sight of the winning line at 18-13 but Dunnett nosed in front with a run of 3, 1, 1, 1, to 19 then answered the loss of a double with a double of his own to keep his hopes of a third Masters title alive.

A disappointing night for Broxburn saw their two seeds Sneddon (8) and McMaster (15) both make dramatic exits.

Sneddon looked a sure fire winner when racing into a 12-1 lead over local hope Andrew Cavanagh at Uphall Station but the 58-year-old team manager of Scotland was crossed 13-12 before carding successive 3s to 18.

Cavanagh then thrilled his home support with a 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, fight-back to stand 20-18 up then he answered the loss of a single with a single to topple the seed 21-19 in 24 ends.

McMaster made a miserable start at Ratho to trail Andrew Semple of Oakbank 14-4 but the seed gradually got to grips with his game and battled back to lead 18-17 before pipped 21-20 by his young rival.

Logan, of Kirkliston, surrendered a 20-16 lead in his 21-20 defeat from Tommy Turnbull, of Broxburn, at Newbridge.

Turnbull had battled all the way in a nip-and-tuck confrontation then stole the show with a 3, 2 finish to win a 26-end thriller.

No.2 seed Neil Speirs (Kirkliston) raced into a 10-0 lead to beat Grant Ramsay of East Calder 21-7 at his old hunting ground at Ratho.

The spectators at Glenmavis were highly impressed by the form of Kirkliston's John Aitken with the No.3 seed serving up a master class display to beat Alex Bathgate, of Harrysmuir, 21-7 in 14 ends.

Ewan Shearer of Bo'ness, the No.4 seed and 2001 Master, looked to be on easy street when racing into a 13-1 lead over Kenny Martin of Glenmavis at Buchan Park but severe slippage to 16-13 down forced him to answer the pressure and win 21-17.

Thomas Mann of Newbridge, the No.9 seed, made a difficult task look easy in his 21-5 win over Sandy Bryant of Kinneil at Uphall Station while No.11 seed, Frazer Muirhead of Uphall Station, zipped to a 21-6 win over Ian Watson of Winchburgh at Deans.

The other seeds to progress were Alec Allan (12), Neil McLean (13), Steven Fleming (14) and Bryan Cooper (16).

Other highlights included a 1, 1, 2, 2 finish from John Learmont of Ratho to pip Glenn King of Bankton Mains, 21-20. Walter McDougall of Glenmavis ran to 21 from 14-19 to beat S Jones of Seafield.

Tonight's fourth-round action takes place at Whitburn, Kirkliston, Armadale and Kinneil.