Bowls: Donaldson’s terrific trio edge thriller

By STEWART MEIKLE
Published on 25/09/2012 12:01

Tanfield Bowling Club brought the curtain down on their competitive outdoor 
season with the annual playing of the Invitation Triples event sponsored by Grouse Whisky and the 2012 champion trio are Bill Ramsay, Brian Higgins and Robert 
Donaldson.

The Donaldson-skipped trio represented the Edinburgh Bowling League Committee and it was a popular triumph when the 2010 Tait Trophy champion and his front two made all the running in the final to edge a 7-6 thriller over Neil Carr, Willie King and Malcolm Thomson of Goldenacre.

Goldenacre were the defending champions and had put up a strong show to reach the final for a second time, but a change of script and probable outcome was immediately signalled when the ‘High Heid Yins’ of the EBL carded a magic three on the opening end.

It was early days though and two ends later the destination of the title was in the balance at 3-3. However, Donaldson was the player on fire and he proved it with a sizzling count of four that charged up the 
competitive spirit of his league secretary and president.

But Goldenacre were far from a spent force and Thomson and company brought the final back to a knife edge with a 1, 2 fight back to 7-6 only to be frustrated by running out of ends.

The EBL trio had signalled the strength of their title challenge with a highly charged 10-1 semi-final demolition of John Taylor, Tam Carberry and Craig Ross who had travelled though from Falkirk Adrian.

While Goldenacre impressed the watching banking with a battling 9-6 win over fancied Blackhall triple Brian Lockhart, Steven Kirk and George Kirk.

The Triples that failed to reach the last four stage included: Kevin Hunter, Scott Kennedy and Billy Mellors; Kevin Thomson, Angus Blair and Alister Kennedy; Paul Millar, Graham Pringle and Paul O’Donnell; Robert Campbell, Ian Forbes and Martin Wylie; and Ian Higgenbotham, Laurence Robertson and Stan Medhurst.

Tanfield hopes were high that legend figures Willie Paul and Mal Higgenbotham could deliver a host club celebration but both failed to deliver.