Losses leave Portobello chasing third place

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 08:38

TWO defeats on the trot have probably put paid to any chance Portobello seniors had of finishing top of the East B section of the indoor bowls Scottish League Cup but they staked a claim for third place with a 67-49 home win over Tweedbank.

"Losing at home to Balbardie then away to Bainfield has cost us dear as up till then we were enjoying an exciting campaign, however, we have shown some character by bouncing back to winning form," said spokesman Tony McLaren.

Portobello won on the rinks skipped by Alex Walker and BJ Smith but were denied a cleansweep when Ronnie Douglas and McLaren finished peels after both dropped shots on their final end.

Leaders East Lothian were 70-59 home winners over bottom side West Lothian and top the table on 16 points to the 15 of Balbardie, who have a game in hand.

The other result saw Midlothian beat Bainfield 71-42 at Dalkeith.

Meanwhile, East Lothian's ambition to win the Premier League title for an amazing fifth time in a row remains alive and kicking with the joint leaders of the B section making it five wins out of seven with an 87-47 triumph away to Dundee.

Blantyre battled to a close home win (80-73) over foot of the table Falkirk and share top spot but East Lothian have a massive shot advantage of 77.

Balbardie are the chief challengers to Bainfield in the race for promotion from Division 1B with the Bathgate-based side's latest 93-66 away win over Whiteinch putting them joint top on nine points but 52 adrift on shots.