Muirhead survives the blitz of seeds in West Lothian Masters

Frazer Muirhead of Uphall Station is the only seed to survive into the final day’s play of the Scotmid Co-operative-sponsored 14th West Lothian Masters at Broxburn tomorrow with the No.13 scoring a 21-9 win over Ian Drysdale of Bathgate at Pumpherston last night.

Muirhead became the solitary rated challenger to come through the 230-strong field into the last eight stage when Alec Allan, the No.16 seed from Newbridge, made a 21-18 exit to Glen King of Bankton Mains at Bellsburn.

Tommy Turnbull (Broxburn), Andi Gray (Kirkliston), Colin Fraser (Whitburn), Cameron Greer (Bathgate), Alan McCormick (Bathgate) and Calum McLean of Oakbank were due to join Muirhead and King in the 11am quarter-finals line-up.

Muirhead has gone close in previous Masters and the 50-year old continued to press his latest challenge for the glory of landing the £1000 title and signature Green Jacket in fine style taking just 15 ends to beat his Hamilton Trophy team mate Ian Drysdale.

The 1981 Scottish and British Isles singles champion stole a march on Drysdale with a run of 1, 2, 3, 1, 2 to lead 12-3 then from 13-9 powered to a sectional final victory with a blitz 2, 2, 4 finish. Allan is a player of high quality consistency so his support thought he was home and dry when the 50-year-old zipped into a 14-4 lead over his younger opponent however King made a strong recovery to cross 15-14 then from 18-16 down hit 21 with a 1, 2, 1, 1 finish.

A weeklong story of formbook upsets continued with the demise of 63-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medal winner George Sneddon of Broxburn at the 21-14 hand of Kirkliston’s 35-year-old dark horse Andi Gray.

Tommy Turnbull will provide a host club interest in the final stages with the Senior figure delivering a massive result with his 21-20 victory over international trial player Steven Forrest of Kirkliston.

Turnbull led 16-9 but came under pressure at 18-16 down then 20-18 before escaping from jail with a 2, 1 finish to 21.

Cameron Greer remained in the main frame with the junior cap thundering home from 13-12 with lightning finish to beat Barry Nicholson of Uphall Station, 21-12 in 22 ends.

Alan McCormick of Bathgate has the class to go all the way and stepped up his challenge with an impressive 21-12 win over Alan Ure of Kinneil while Colin Fraser kept the Whitburn flag prominent with a 21-15 win over Darren Pegg of Broxburn. Calum McLean continues to impress with his results and the surprise package from Oakbank overcame another stiff hurdle when battling to a 21-19 win over Bob Mackay of Armadale after a marathon 29 ends. The last-eight line- up is King v Turnbull, Gray v Muirhead, Fraser v Greer and McCormick v McLean.