Bowls: Tait Trophy finalists face a test of nerve at Dudley

THE two finalists will have to answer some tough questions asked of their game when bowls' Tait Trophy reaches its climax tonight.

Robert Donaldson of Parkside and Russell Wilson of Juniper Green face each other in the final of the Alpha Trophies sponsored-event at Dudley (6.15pm).

It's the Champion of Champions title of Edinburgh & Leith that is at stake and the winner will have his name etched on a trophy that has been competed for since 1888.

The venue for the Tait final follows the President of the E&L Bowling Association, so the quality of surface is often in question.

There have been doubts in the past as to whether the green has been up to the importance of the occasion but Dudley has a high rating so expectations of a skilled contest are high. Weather conditions could still turn things into a lottery but 35-year-old Donaldson and 23-year-old Wilson have other tests to pass as each battle for supremacy in front of what promises to be a large crowd.

Donaldson is a course and distance winner at national Under-25 level against a restricted but quality field of fellow District champions. But that was back in 1998 and, unlike many others, he hasn't achieved the step up to full cap status.

His Singles record in the Capital is sparse and he took until last season to win his first club championship title. However, having had a taste of it, he has repeated that success this year and stamped the form by reaching the final of the Tait in 2009 and again this year.

He was a hot favourite going into last year's final but had a miserable time of it and lost to Peter Miller of Dudley.

However, the memory of that will act as both a stick and a carrot as he bids to capture the trophy at the second time of asking.

The Parkside star is a fireman so won't lack for nerve and, as a top club skip, can, at his best, combine the delicate touch of drawing skills with the aggression needed to attack menacing heads.Donaldson also brings the authority, status and charisma of an E&L Hamilton Trophy player to his strong claims of being the form choice.

Wilson is also a course-and-distance winner but at E&L level having come through an open and therefore larger field to capture the James S Fleming Under-25 singles at Dudley last season.

His championship win at Juniper Green this season is his first and he is now flirting with Hamilton Trophy status.

Tait is a big step up in class but he is very much on the upgrade, and there is much more to come from him.

Meanwhile, a night of drama in the semi finals of the EBL Knockout Championships, sponsored by Ian McKay Contracts, was headlined by a spectacular fightback from Neil Watson of Parkside in the Junior Singles to snatch a 21-20 win over Jamie McIntosh of Tanfield.

The clash at Maitland saw 18-year old McIntosh in brilliant form to lead 20-12 but 17-year old Watson saved his skin three times with last bowl converters and clawed his way into the final with a run of 1, 1, 1, 2, 1 and 3.

Watson was completing a Parkside double with Paul Veitch having cashed in on a 13-3 lead to beat Gary Swain of Niddrie, 21-11.

Two more nail-biters saw Craigentinny edge Merchiston 12-11 in the Triples and Mayfield hold out from 18-8 to beat Portobello 18-17 in the Fours. Dean beat Dudley 18-8 in the Pairs.

The action at Mayfield saw 18-year-old Gary Stout of Maitland pip Neal Rooney of Postal, 21-20 in another Junior Singles thriller, while George McNab of Merchiston conjured up several magic conversions to clinch a 21-19 win over Paul Jeromson of Summerside in the Singles.

Whitehouse & Grange finished 4, 2 to beat Hillside, 17-14 in the Fours while Willowbrae added 2, 2, 1 from peels at 10 to beat Pilrig in the Triples.

Pilrig advanced in the Pairs at the 18-6 expense of Corstorphine.