EAST Lothian competitors headed into the second half of the week at the 2024 National Championships and were hoping to add to the medals achieved by Dean Riva and East Linton over-55s fours, writes Matt Osborne.

Macmerry ladies’ triples could not replicate their qualifying results but continued their well-noted support for the rest of the week as they lost out to Stranraer.

Similarly, Elphinstone duo Scott and Stuart Runciman could not get going in their opening round, losing out to eventual winners Gordon.

Kieran Dodds had enjoyed a season of great form in several competitions, including skipping in the ranks of this year’s Hamilton Trophy team. However, he did not quite get going on the Ayr greens, although he is sure to have gained valuable experience and will return to the championships in the near future.

The gents’ fours (Aberlady) and ladies’ fours (Ormiston) both made winning starts last Wednesday to move on to the last 16 the following day.

Ormiston looked to be in control in their tie against Gala Waverley, lying for large periods of the game, end after end, but were left frustrated as the opposition skip put in a ‘player of the match’ performance, enough to see them miss out 17-10.

Aberlady in contrast booked their place in Friday’s quarter-final as they edged out Camelon 15-14.

They lined up against Stranraer as they looked to guarantee a medal for 2024.

Stranraer got to grips with the rink early on and put down an early marker that Aberlady could not respond to as they conceded 22-9.

Meanwhile, Kim Hoggan held her nerve in her first-round match against Currie.

With sister Dee somewhat of an Ayr veteran, younger sister Kim showed her capabilities on the green with a 21-20 win and would face reigning singles champion Emma Mitchell for a place in the last eight.

Mitchell looked to have a comfortable lead before Hoggan raced back and, trailing 18-16, played a runner to make a match-changing four shots and leave her just one shot from victory; a nick of the jack sent it out fractionally out the rink.

She did score two shots at the replayed end but succumbed to defeat moments later as champion Mitchell finished the match with three touching bowls.

The Tranent gents’ triples were looking to make Saturday morning medal matches but the Friday final draw meant that they would need two wins to do so.

The first came against Aberchirder (16-8) as they then faced off against recent top-10 opponents Maybole for a place in the last four.

But an incredible start by former Scotland star Gavin Campbell left Tranent with too big of a hill to climb to reach the semi-finals.

Sisters Leanne Watt and Lauren Baillie-Whyte (Port Seton) were looking for a fifth national pairs title and faced familiar faces in Buchan Park in the opening round.

Having contested the gold medal match in previous years, this was sure to be a tight contest.

The sisters maintained an early lead on their way to the last 16 and on to Friday morning.

They would then face Carron and Carronshore and, in a tight contest, the sisters managed a narrow lead entering the last end, ultimately progressing once again (17-16).

They guaranteed themselves a medal with a commanding 23-14 win over Kilbarchan in the quarter-final and advanced to Saturday morning’s semi-final.

They would face international teammates Lauren Roddie and Catherine McIntosh (Stonehaven) in their quest for a place in the gold medal match and a shot at another national title.

There was little to separate the two sides and, after eight ends, Stonehaven edged ahead 6-5 in a low-scoring affair.

The Stonehaven duo scored on four of the next five ends to take a commanding 17-6 lead into end 14 and on to a 19-8 lead with just two ends to play.

A brief opportunity arose on end 17 as Port Seton lay three shots with a possible measure for four with just two bowls to play.

However, McIntosh successfully disturbed the head and closed off the danger for Port Seton to score any more than three shots.

They did count the trio and headed up the last knowing they needed a full house to even force an extra end.

It was not to be for the sisters, scoring a double at the last but walking away with the bronze medal.