BATHGATE High bridged a 10-year gap since their last success in 1998 when capturing the John Smith's Extra Smooth WLBA Top Ten title with a 6-2 points victory over Newbridge in the final at Kirkliston on Sunday.
Both teams entered the fray with one previous title win in the WLBA book of records, Bathgate being successful in 1998 and Newbridge in 2001.
Play was of a high standard from the finalists but Bathgate looked to have the higher energy levels and p
laying with a bee in their bonnet stung the opposition with a 6-2 points victory.
Wins in the Singles, Pairs, and Triples gave Bathgate their winning advantage and the shot margin was also in their favour (64-58) but although it looks comman-ding the comfort zone was provided by a sensational climax to the Singles.
The head to head between Bathgate's 26-year-old Bryan Cooper and 27-year-old Thomas Mann of Newbridge was an epic battle that lasted 26-ends and provided the banking with exceptional levels of incident and drama.
Bathgate held the driving seat in the Pairs however with current County champions David Drysdale and David Lawrie opening up a 9-3 lead then stretching to 16-6 before settling for a 16-13 win over Jim Speirs and Alec Allan.
And they also held all the aces in the Triples with David McCormick, Brian Saunders, and Alan McCormick turning up trumps as they converted a 14-3 lead into a 15-9 win over Drew Paterson, James Speirs, and Paul Sweeney.
The WESLO sponsored WLBA Seniors Open has attracted an improved entry of 118 'golden oldies' chasing the coveted title, and the climax to the popular tournament takes place at Glenmavis on Thursday, September 4 with the semi finals and final down for decision.
Kirkliston host the quarter-finals on Tuesday September 2 (11am). Bankton Mains is the venue on Wednesday, August 27 for the semi finals (11am) and final (2pm) of the Seniors John Dickson Trophy.
The World of bowls was shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Midlothian icon Alex McIntosh of Newbattle on Saturday at the age of 72.
Big Eck was a sporting legend with 54 caps from 18 international series and his medal haul included Pairs gold in the 1974 Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch, New Zealand.
'Super Mac' carried the Scotland banner in the opening parade of the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada from which he returned with a silver in the Pairs, adding to the silver he collected as skip of the Fours in the Edinburgh 1970 games.
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