Bowls: Dee Hoggan and Beth Riva fall to the same opponent

The East Lothian duo were drawn in the same section of the draw, with a strong representation of internationalists throughout.

Riva would face ladies’ team manager and selector Kim Watt (Stonehaven) in the first round.

Watt proved to be in blistering form and ended the youngster’s challenge 21-10.

Hoggan faced off against international team-mate and familiar face in the nationals Lorraine Craig (West Lothian).

Hoggan looked to be firmly in control and easing into round two as she led 17-5.

But Craig was far from finished in the tie and mounted an incredible eight-end fightback to lead the tie 20-19.

However, holding her nerve at the end, Hoggan secured the double needed to progress 21-20.

She would face another internationalist in Elidh Weir (Stirling) for a place in the Sunday last 16.

Hoggan trailed 12-8 before scoring six ends with a loss of a further two shots on her way to a 21-14 win.

Watt would then stand between Hoggan and a place in the quarter-finals.

In a similar performance, Watt would prove to be in as devastating form against her second East Lothian opponent as she claimed the tie with an identical 21-10 scoreline.

Victories for duo

Elsewhere, Aaron McGlynn and Logan Kennedy headed to East Fife in the junior singles qualifiers and both claimed routine wins (21-4 and 21-14 respectively).

McGlynn would receive a walkover win as Fraserburgh withdrew from the competition.

Kennedy would face home player Thomas Jamieson, Kennedy winning 21-13.

Both players now head for Abbeyview on November 10, where two wins would see the youngsters in the semi-final of the national junior singles.

Looking ahead

This weekend sees the gents’ singles take centre stage in the national playdowns.

Lewis Betts and Martin Campbell head to Glasgow to represent East Lothian.

Betts faces West of Scotland bowler Jack Connolly in round one, while Campbell meets Blantyre’s Cammy Gibb.

A win will see them progress to the Sunday schedule of play.

Emma Blyth and Amy Borthwick go in search of junior singles glory at Dundee this weekend, where play is scheduled for a 10am start.

The competitors are drawn on the day to avoid withdrawals.

Premier League

Meanwhile, wins ‘on the road’ in the gents’ Premier League look as difficult as ever for the 2024/25 season.

However, East Lothian put in an impressive performance at unbeaten Falkirk to come away with the two points on offer on Saturday afternoon.

A blistering start from Lewis Betts against internationalist Martin McCalley (15-1) set the tone for the visitors as they set the pace for the afternoon over the first eight ends to lead 31-20 overall.

Falkirk were keen to prove that their unbeaten start would continue as McCalley reduced his individual deficit with back-to-back winning ends.

He scored a combined eight shots and sparked a score for Falkirk across the carpet 17-1 at ends nine and 10.

The game then always looked as if it were heading for a photo finish, with both teams holding leads on two rinks each; the visitors with a slender lead at the completion of end 16.

Scott Kennedy would provide the most decisive blow to the Falkirk comeback. Facing seven shots against with just his last bowl to come at end 17, the former internationalist held his nerve to draw the third shot within inches to preserve East Lothian’s overall lead.

All attention would swiftly turn to Betts’ battle as the youngster remained last on the carpet with just two shots separating the sides.

McCalley made a single shot with his first delivery, moving the jack off centre in the process.

Betts drew another second shot to add further pressure to the Falkirk skip.

He narrowly failed with his last delivery as he looked to tie the match, leaving Betts in the ideal position of ‘leaving a bowl on the mat’ as East Lothian left with the two points (73-72).

The result puts East Lothian second in the table in what looks to be the tightest Premier League in some time.

The team welcome Lanarkshire to Meadowmill in two weeks’ time (November 2) in what could see a promotion pack emerge within the group.