It wasn't Dunnett wot won it as ex-champion crashes out

Published on Friday 24 July 2009 11:28

ANDREW DUNNETT 'done it' in 1999 and 2007 but the 35-year old No.3 seed from Queensferry won't be doing it in 2009 as he crashed to a surprise defeat in last night's fourth round of the White Knights-sponsored West Lothian Masters.

Dunnett looked set for another menacing run after reeling off a hat-trick of wins but last night at Armadale he made a rather tame 21-13 exit in 24 ends to Billy Irvine of Buchan Park.

Irvine led 7-1 which then stretched to 14-5. Dunnett rallied to 12 with a run of 2, 1, 2, 2 but Irvine answered that growing menace with a storming finish of 1, 2, (1), 1, 1, 2.

While Dunnett was the only seed to fall, there was a fright for Ewan Shearer of Bo'ness at Bellsburn with the 36-year-old No.4 blowing hot and cold in a 21-20 victory over Paul Sweeney of Newbridge.

Sweeney made a bright start to lead 8-1 but Shearer found a bit of form to hit back and cross 9-8, but the next seven ends were dominated by an opponent whose run of 1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2 swept him to the brink of victory at 20-9.

But Shearer, the 2001 Master, produced an amazing fightback of 1, 3, 3, 3, 2 to win in 23 ends.

Holder John Aitken was also involved in a drama at Queensferry where he was engaged in a ding-dong battle with Gordon Hill of Ratho but looked like his reign was over when Hill added 1, 2, 2, to lead 16-13. 'Big John' reacted positively to pressure, however, with a powerful run of 2, 1, 2, 3 to 21.

Grant Logan, the 33-year old No.5 seed and 2005 Master, joined his Kirkliston club-mate in the fifth round with a 21-2 win over Colin Cruckshanks of Pumpherston at Bellsburn.

George Sneddon, the 59-year old No.8 seed from Broxburn, was was under immense pressure against Craig Yeaman of Bellsburn at Armadale at 18-16 down before hitting the 21 mark with a 2, 2, 1 finish.

Tanfield champion Graham Munro, also a member at Middleton Hall, saw his West Lothian campaign ended by a 21-16 defeat from Bathgate's Brian Saunders at Armadale. Teenager Andrew Semple of Oakbank conjured up a 3, 1 finish to beat Jim Davidson of Kirkliston 21-18 at Kirkliston while a clash of club-mates at Queensferry saw Gary Grant beat Steven King 21-12.

Tonight's fifth round (section finals) venues (7pm) are Broxburn and Whitburn.

Line-up: J Aitken v C McConaghy (B); G Sneddon v G Duggan (W); G Logan v D Ross (B)' E Shearer v R Mark (W), B Irvine v B Saunders (W); B Edwards v T Turnbull (B); A Semple v R Reid (B); W McDougall v G Grant (W).

WEST END challenger Murray Baillie had an anxious wait from 20-9 up before clinching a 21-17 win over Tom Kivlin of Postal in last night's first round proper of the Edinburgh Bowling League Singles at Lutton Place.

George Johnston of Brunstane was nip and tuck with Ian Laing of Braid at Whitehouse & Grange but produced a 3, 2 finish to triumph 21-15 in 22 ends.

Peter Grantham of Niddrie made telling space to lead Frank Clements of Trinity 15-8 at Pilrig and traded on the cushion to win 21-11 in 19 ends.

John Shields of Craigentinny exploded from 9-10 to 20-10 before clinching a 21-14 victory in 18-ends over Gary Taylor of Tramways at Hillside.

Mark Hogg of Goldenacre added a run of 4, 1, 2, 1, 1 to lead 18-4 and went on to beat Jim Fisher of Mayfield 21-11 in 19 ends at Leith.

Two highlights from the Junior Singles saw Gavin Rogers of Pilrig and Ross Thomson of Mayfield edge 21-18 wins over Ian Duncan (Craigentinny) and Glen Walker (Willowbrae) respectively.

THE semi-final action in the Lutton Place championship last night saw holder Gordon Plenderleith beat John Johnstone 21-19 and Robert Weir beat Andy Heatlie 21-11.