Pairs title puts Brunstane in the spotlight

Published on Tuesday 9 September 2008 09:44

BRUNSTANE isn't a name that is often seen in lights as the club operates in the lower divisions of the Edinburgh Bowling League so their first-ever title success in the Knockout Championships has sparked a celebration shindig.

There are two hero figures in the shape of George Johnston and Jamie Gunn, who formed a winning partnership to capture the Pairs title in the finals of the Ian Mackay (Contracts) sponsored event at Leith BC.

It was a case of a good season getting even better for both players with Gunn sitting in several domestic finals and Johnston making a successful defence of the club championship title.

The Brunstane duo climaxed their exciting EBL campaign by dishing out a 15-10 defeat to Alan Geary and Ian Watson of Maitland having thrown down the gauntlet with a powerful opening run of 1, 4 and 2 to lead 7-0.

The title looked to be safely in the bag when Brunstane continued to dictate the pace at 14-7 but there was a hint of danger when three singles were conceded to ten followed by a moment of intense drama at the last before a single to 15 settled the issue.

The build-up of the final head did give Maitland a chance, albeit a difficult one, to card a four that would have taken the match into an extra end. His near miss, though, ended his hopes. "Brunstane is a club that enjoys its bowls and we are beginning to move forward on the competitive front so this title success is a landmark occasion and one that will raise morale and confidence levels in general," said president George Langlands.

Craigentinny looked to be exceptionally strong in the Fours and their rink formation of Craig McCall, Scott Duncan, Derek McFarlane and Willie McDonald duly delivered with a 29-8 win over Parkside.

In fact, it was all over after seven ends with McDonald and Co inflicting a 19-1 blitz on the out-of-luck Tam Hogg, Brian Ferrier, Bob Hughes and Jack Logan.

Coltbridge landed the Seniors Fours title with Ken Harrower skipping Jim Fraser, Gordon Herbert and Ian Drummond to an 18-9 win over Tom McGeachie, Jock Ritchie, James Syme and Robert Porteous of Niddrie.

The outcome was still in the balance at 10-9 after 11 ends but Coltbridge zipped to 18 with a finishing run of 5, 1, 1 and 1.

"The EBL is a modern success story that continues to flourish as a result of the input from its member clubs and Leith BC is to be congratulated for its successful staging of these finals," said league president Robert Wood.