Bowls: Caldwell's Craigentinny to the Fours in extra-end win

Postal attracted a big crowd to their staging of the finals of the Edinburgh & Leith bowls championships last night and they were rewarded with a thrilling climax to the Fours, featuring Craigentinny against Carrick Knowe.

Craigentinny captured the title in extra-end drama with Andrew Caldwell skipping Craig McCall, John Shields and David Brown to a 15-14 victory over Rab Hush, Chris Crawford, Ian McKenna and Craig Aitken.

Caldwell and Co made a great start to lead 7-0 then, when faced with growing pressure at 8-7 they responded with a 2, 1 and 1 reply to 12. Carrick Knowe were far from a spent force, though, and they fired up the occasion with a run of 3, 1 and 2 to cross 13-12.

The battle for supremacy continued with Aitken answering the loss of a single with a single to retain a 14-13 edge going into the last end but Craigentinny forced an extra end when, helped by Brown spreading the jack, they carded a single.

It was a nerve-tingling situation but Craigentinny handled the pressure best and built a solid head that produced the winning single.

"It was a real ding-dong affair and a good match to win," said 25-year-old Caldwell.

The Singles final for the Under-25 James Fleming Trophy was won by 23-year-old Pilrig challenger Euan Craig, who dominated to beat Ross Herriot of Stenhouse 21-8 in 17 ends.

"When you see the famous names that are etched on this trophy I feel great to be joining them and having defeated the last two champions, Neil Watson and Russell Wilson, en route I feel I have had to play well to earn it," said Craig.

Merchiston won the Pairs trophy thanks to a powerful performance from Terry Hickey and Frank Gordon, who led 9-1 and blitzed Hillside brothers Jimmy and Glen Headspeath 19-9. And Parkside landed the Triples in great style with Robert Donaldson skipping Derek Smith and Willie Watson to a 24-5 win over George Trotter, Adam Melrose and Alan Trotter of Sighthill.

Meanwhile E&L face Midlothian at Newbattle tomorrow in the Hamilton Trophy while East Lothian clash with West Lothian at West Barns.