Bowls: Brown holds his nerve

Nicky Brown of Edinburgh District 11 produced a sterling performance to beat Kevin Brunton of Craigie, 21-17 in the second-round play of the Junior Singles in the National bowling championships at Ayr but he had to keep his nerve after coming under pressure from 15-6 up.

Brown spent a spell on the back foot that saw him concede 1, 2, 1, 1, 1 (3), 1, 4 to bring sweat to his brow at 18-17 but conjured up a magic 3 from a well-constructed head at the 23rd end to clinch a welcome victory.

Jamie Hanlan is making good progress for Midlothian under the radar and a 4 to lead 18-13 paved the way for a 21-17 win over Colin McMeechan of 
Rutherglen, however fancied contender Grant Thomson of East Linton made a 21-9 exit at the hands of Craig Burns of Hurlford.

Calum Logan was considered the favourite to land the title and was doing well to lead 16-13 but the 23-year old Kirkliston star lost a 1, 4 that cost him the initiative and he slipped to a 21-17 defeat from Jeffrey Penrose of Port William.

Chris Steven and Darren McKenny of Pilrig impressed at the 16-13 expense of St Fergus in the Pairs while Ann McCaskell skipped her London Road Foundry rink to a good 20-11 win over Spittalmyre in the Fours. Hillside duo 
Lorraine Livingstone and Cathy Ward produced a spectacular, 6, 5 finish to beat Ardishaig 
22-12 in the Pairs.