Curling: West Lothian make case for the defence

WEST LOTHIAN'S BOWLERS continued their defence of the coveted Hamilton Trophy with another sound performance in their 138-105 win over West Fife in the East section of the Scottish Cities and Counties Championship.

The clash at Townhill near Dunfermline saw the title-holding team, managed by Colin Stein, produce wins on the rinks skipped by Grant Logan, John Aitken, Graeme Archer, and Neil Speirs.

There were two setbacks for the visitors with West Fife inflicting defeat on the rinks skipped by Thomas Mann and Gary Smith but both were contained to single figures.

Grant Logan and his rink of Mark Allison, Andrew Dunnett and Blair Mackie were the outstanding performers of the day and their 14-2 contribution over the first seven ends of the match was the solid anchor which allowed WL to capture the first phase 42-37.

Logan and co continued with an impressive 13-3 return on the second phase and this time there was more support from across the rinks and WL benefited to the tune of 52-24.

West Fife were due a turn but they couldn't dent the commanding 33-shot lead held by WL as the best they could manage was a 44-44 share of the third phase.

East Lothian went down by a single shot to Borders at Dunbar and their agonising 113-112 defeat was their second in a row and that brings their qualifying challenge under great pressure.

The rinks skipped by Alister Kennedy and Struan Robertson posted wins by 11 and two shots respectively and Alex Marshall finished peels but Derek Oliver went down by eight and Jamie Higgins and Willie Wood both by three.

Midlothian followed their opening win over Edinburgh & Leith with a commanding 134-98 victory over Fife at Newbattle.

• TONIGHT'S fixtures in Division 1 of the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League include Craigentinny at home to record six-times champions Tanfield.

In other matches, Leith entertain Parkside and Hillside visit Pilrig, while Wardie are at home to Goldenacre.