Local heroes: Rout helps leaders take tighter grip

The clean-sweep was particularly pleasing for the home side as they were without the services of first-team regulars Richard Tough, Kevin Tennant, Graham Pringle and Steven Pringle.

"This was a test of our strength in depth so it is a great result for us," said spokesman Colin Mitchell. "Currie are no pushovers and the margin is one that stretches our lead from a vulnerable half point to a more comfortable three-and-a-half over Bainfield and Slateford."

Mitchell is especially keen to land the title for Carrick Knowe in the year of his brother John's presidency of the WOL Bowling Association and his 14-shot win was supported by fellow skips James Hogg, Ian McKenna, and Darren Hush. Hogg made the major contribution of the night having carded 5 at the second and third ends then later producing a grandstand finish of 1, 4, 1 to skip Rab Hush, Bill Little and John Mitchell to a 24-9 win over Kenny Melville.

McKenna carded a magnificent 7 at the sixth end to lead 11-3 and never looked back as he skipped Freddy Carter, Colin Tough and Craig Aitken to a 24-10 win over Andrew Neil.

Hush burst on the scene with a 2, 6, 2 (1), 4, 2 to lead 16-5 after seven ends then he skipped Ray Smith, Blair Paton and Andy Blair to a 23-11 win over Ian Baird. Mitchell locked swords with Andrew McKendrick and picked up from 6-5 with a run of 3, 3, 1 then pressed on to skip Ian Williams, Robert Mitchell and John Priestley to a 26-12 win.

Carrick Knowe had further good news when their nearest challengers Bainfield lost 3-2 at defending champions Sighthill. Slateford remain in contention after a 4-1 home win over Juniper Green thrust them up alongside Bainfield in joint second. Sighthill are just half a point adrift in fourth place.

Colinton lifted themselves, marginally, off the foot of the table with a 3-2 away win over Beechwood, while Balerno were 3-1 away winners over Gorgie Mills.