Record six times champions Tanfield suffered two opening defeats in Division 1 of the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League but bounced back to form last night with a 7-2 away win over Parkside. It’s a result that brings hopes of a revival of fortune for a club that celebrated its last title success in 2006 however it will also be welcomed by defending champions Craigentinny as Parkside are seen as chief rivals. “To lose at home is a bad result for us and with Craigentinny off to a flying start in the league it is great news for them that the chasing pack are cutting each other up”, said Parkside spokesman Bob Donaldson. Craigentinny only managed to scrape a 5-4 win over Queensberry last night but it was an away fixture and they increased their top of the table lead to 8 points over Parkside and they are 9 ahead of Tanfield.  Hillside are the great survivors of the top league and it is usually thanks to a strong home record however last night they lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a spectacular 9-0 away win over Goldenacre. Northern are the new faces in Division 1 and have made an encouraging start with last night’s 5-4 away win over Leith pushing them 4 points ahead of their victims and now joint bottom Goldenacre It was wins for the rinks skipped by Graeme McIntosh, Stuart Campbell, and former Tait Trophy champion Andy Sneddon that brought feelings of elation to the Tanfield camp. Sneddon was the highest flyer, skipping Stuart McKean, Ally Thompson and David Snodgrass from 3-1 down to 19-3 up in a seven end purple patch then cashing in to inflict 26-13 pain on Bob Donaldson. Campbell made telling space from 4-4 to skip Stuart Thompson, Derek McLean, and Scott Wood into a 15-8 lead then on to a 17-9 win over Paul Veitch. McIntosh made a blitz start to skip Keith McLachlan, Willie Paul, and Alex Thompson into a 12-1 lead then held on grimly to score a 15-12 win over Derek Smith. Parkside were kept on the map by Alex Hurry who was in top form to skip Graham Fraser, David Moran, and Willie Watson to an 18-12 win over Mal Higgenbotham. Craigentinny were best served at Queensberry by Kevin McFarlane who was boosted by a magnificent 7 at the second end and went on to skip Stuart Betts, Gary Nisbet, and Gordon Bold to a 27-13 win over Frank O’Reilly Wins for the rinks skipped by Davy Scott and Jamie Reid tipped the scales for Northern at Leith.(www.scotlawnbowls.com, May 2011)

 

Goldenacre were the first side out of the hat for the 2011 Edinburgh Top Ten. The draw has seen them paired against Stenhouse Bowling Club. Goldenacre will enjoy home advantage in the singles and fours whilst the pairs and triples will have a tricky away match.  The stand out tie in the Prelim is EBL Division One newcomers Northern against top WOL side Bainfield. The Prelim has also pitched 2010 winners, Carrick Knowe, against fellow WOL side Currie. To view the Top Ten draw in full click on the following link. Edinburgh Top Ten 2011 (01/04/2011)

 

Goldenacre will kick of their Edinburgh Cup campaign on Friday 24th June with a tricky match against Division two side Willowbrae. To view the draw in full please click on the following link http://www.edinburghbowlingleague.co.uk/Edincup.htm. (01/04/2011)

 

This year's Annual General Meeting is being held on Friday 4th March. There are 5 vacancies on the Management Committee so please consider volunteering some of your free time to help and support your club. The club is also looking for more bar volunteers to take some of the burden of the ever presents. The more people who make themselves available the fewer shifts each individual has to do. If you can assist in any of these areas then please contact a member of the committee. (09/02/2011)

 

Goldenacre Men's First Team will begin their third successive Edinburgh Bowling League Division 1 campaign against newly promoted Queensberry at home. Last year's Division 2 runners-up are experienced campaigners in the First Division so present tough opposition for the opening match. The Second Team retained their status in Division 2 last year and will be hoping to push for promotion in the 2011 campaign. Full fixtures will be published on the website once they are known. (12/01/2011)