Archive of 2005 season

Well done to the 1st XVI for clinching the Edinburgh League 1st Division title after a hard fought 7-2 victory over Pilrig. Also, well done to the 3rd team for winning the "3rd Team" Division 1 title.

WELL DONE TO ANDREW CALDWELL!!!!

A very well done to Andrew Caldwell after he won the Scottish Junior Singles title at Ayr to become the first Craigentinny winner of the trophy since Richard Corsie in 1983. Andrew had a couple of tricky games early on but found better form to win the semi and the final with ease. Here is a run down of his route to the title.

1st round : 21-19 against R.Warrander (Cardonald)

2nd Round : 21-19 against D.Johnston (Cowdenbeath)

Q-Final : 21-10 against G.Strain (Yarrow)

S-Final : 21-10 against R.Reid (Westermains)

Final : 21-13 against D.Hamilton (Blackhill)

The Fours (Grant, Derek, Boldy and Kevin) were unlucky after getting beat in the Quarter Finals from the eventual winners, by 2 shots.

A 9-0 victory over Leith on Wednesday left the 1st XVI within touching distance of the 1st Division title after Tanfield won 6-3 away at Hillside. A home game against Pilrig remains for the 1st XVI and 3 points are required to guarantee the league title.

The Craigentinny Edinburgh Cup team were defeated by Tanfield on Friday night in a match that could have went either way after three close games at Tanfield. Dougie Birrell played some great last bowls against Stuart Betts at Craigy to win by 2 shots after being 16-8 down to win 18-16, and John Storrier and Davie Snodgrass had comfortable wins against Tony McLaren and Derek McFarlane. Willie McDonald won at Tanfield with Andy Jeffrey and Kev McFarlane being narrowly defeated. All the best to Tanfield in the final!

- Beat The Dean by 1 shot in the prelim of the Top10. No match report yet, but I'm sure one will be with me very shortly.........

- Got beat in the "Top 5" from Tanfield - see Deek's report.

- 1st XVI beat Tanfield 7-2 (home) to pull clear at the top of the league

- 2nd XVI beat Mayfield 7-2 (away) to climb into 2nd place

Click here to see the story and photos of the recent Belfast trip.

1st XVI lost 7-2 at Hillside to leave us joint top of the 1st Division with Tanfield.

The "Top 5" won 4-1 on Monday Night. See Deek's report on the game.

Eddie Tomany and Andy Reid failed to win the ELBA Pairs at St Andrews on Thursday night after going down 21-8 to the pair from Whitehouse & Grange.

Another good night for the Craigy teams as the 1st and 2nd XVIs both won 7-2. Big wins on three 1st XVI rinks at home ensured at least 7 points were staying with the home team, and Big Dub's rink were always in touching distance of the Northern rink which had a string back-end of Gordon Wilson and Shuggy(?), but couldn't quite peg them back. At least Big Dub gave us another quote or two to keep us all amused..........

Who's getting excited about the trip to Belfast to watch the Craigy Triples compete in the British Isles Championships? Send me your plans and I'll create a page so that people can see what we are all doing for the weekend and where you are staying. Also, if anyone has good luck messages, I will put these on too.

Eddie Tomany has reached the final of the ELBA Pairs for the 2nd time in three years after beating Coltbridge in the semi final on Thursday night with his partner, Andy Reid. Andy and Eddie won a hard fought match by two shots and now line up against Whitehouse and Grange in the final, which is taking place at St Andrews Steelworks on Thursday(7pm).

The 1st XVI increased their lead at the top of the 1st Division with a 5-4 away victory at second placed Pilrig. Andy Jeffrey scored a big win against Scott Rogers, and with a last bowl rub (just a small one) from Willie McDonald, against his mentor, Davie Poole, giving Craigy the 2 rink wins on the night. It could have been even better, but going into the last end peels, Derek McFarlane's rink failed to get the shot to gain an extra two points.

The District 11 Finals on Friday night brought first District winners badges for Andrew Caldwell, Gordon Bold, and Derek McFarlane, but failed to produce one for John Shields. Andrew is in top form just now, and after having a good game against Colin Hutchison on Thursday night in the ELBA U21s, and get narrowly beaten, he was determined that the big one would not elude him. Gordon Wilson Jr had no answer to him on the night and Andrew romped to an easy 21-6 victory, which actually finished before the President arrived to watch!

The fours were always in control of their game against Seafield to lead 7-0, but soon got pegged back to 8-7 and memories of last years final came flooding back. But they were determined not to let their lead slip this year and always had the upper hand in the latter stages to win with a few shots to spare. The only disappointing aspect to the night was the defaet of the Pairs. It was always going to be a tough game against the Tanfield pair, but at 11-9 down with four ends to play, the loss of a bad five was always going to make it very difficult. A two for Craigy at the next made it 11-16 with two to play, and at the next end, they were lying a good two until Mally "gobbed" the shot of a high bowl to effectively win the game. All the best to Davie and Mally, as I'm sure they'll give any pair a run for their money at Ayr

The 1st XVI are back where they belong, on top of the Edinburgh League 1st Division after a hard fought 5-4 victory over Leith. Good wins for Willie McDonald and Derek McFarlane were enough to ensure the aggregate went to Craigy, and the news that Pilrig had been beaten away at Parkside ensured that the Craigy players short trip back to the Toonland was a happy one!

Craigentinny were victorious in the Scottish District Junior Singles and Fours semi finals at Northern on Tuesday night. Andrew Caldwell was playing against Ally Thompson of Tanfield and Andrew was honest to admit he got a couple of rubs aginst his opponent in the early stages, and capitalised on these breaks to power to a 21-13 victory. The Four of Grant McLaren, Derek McFarlane, Gordon Bold, and Kevin McFarlane had a great battle with Pilrg. They looked in control playing the third last end, when they were 4 up and lying at least two with one being a front toucher (or almost!). The Pilrig skip, Scott Rogers, played his last bowl to perfection and turned the bowl onto the jack and got 3 shots. Pilrig counted a one at the second last end, and after a burnt end it was left to the skips to draw to a displaced jack to the ditch side of rink one. Thankfully, Kev managed to outdraw his opponent and Craigy marched onto Friday nights finals where they will be represented in three events.

The 2nd XVI were beaten 5-4 by The Dean on Monday night in a a rearranged leage game.

There was joy and heartache at Summerside on Friday night as Craigentinny competed in the Scottish District Pairs and Triples semi finals. John Shields and Stuart Betts had a good battle with Mark Fyfe and Alan Dall jnr and came out on top by 5 shots, but only after Alan had a great chance on the last end to win the game and only just failed with all 4 bowls. The triple of Scott Duncan, Kevin Hunter and Andrew Jeffrey got beat on an extra end by the Dean with a fluke. The Dean triple did not have bowl near the jack when Mark Davies looked to be tight with his last bowl, but hit a bowl 3 yards short and in for the shot and win the game. Kevin Hunter was last spotted at Tanfield on Saturday with the Dean players, having a good laugh about the game.....................