Carrick Knowe into semi-finals of Edinburgh Cup

Carrick Knowe's focus on capturing the Specsavers-sponsored Edinburgh Cup has sharpened with the former kingpins of the Water of Leith League through to the semi-finals.

Paul O'Donnell claimed a vital away win for Carrick Knowe

Their quarter-final challenge against Parkside was a testing one with the current leaders of the Edinburgh Bowling League’s Division 4 going head-to-head with the reigning champions of Division 1 and two-times winners of the Cup.

However, last season’s top EBL club found themselves outclassed and on the end of an 8-4 point defeat as Carrick Knowe demonstrated their supremacy with two wins on their away leg and two wins at home.

Stephen Pringle and Paul O’Donnell delivered the vital away triumphs while Colin Mitchell and James Hogg stoked the flames of match victory with performances that kept the home fires burning.

Pringle lined up against Robert Donaldson with the Parkside player parading his skills on home territory. However, the lions den challenge held no fears for the young Carrick Knowe bowler as he skipped Rab Hush, Colin Touch and Robert Mitchell to a 23-11 win.

O’Donnell added 2, 3, 1, (1), 1, 1 to skip Robbie Smith, Cameron Tenant and Colin Spence into a 10-6 lead after ten ends then stayed on to clinch a 16-9 win over Brian Salvona.

Parkside did deliver a home win with Neil Watson building on a majestic full-house count of 8 to beat John Ramsay 20-17.

Mitchell, operating on his home patch, delivered the goods for Carrick Knowe in grand style as he skipped Roy Henderson, John Mitchell and Johnny Priestley to a 20-9 win over Andy Hargan.

Hogg was asked to show his Scotland international class at 11-5 down after eight ends and showed what he is made of by closing to 13-15 then producing a grandstand finish of 2, and 3 to skip Ray Smith, Trevor Mathieson and Graham Pringle to an 18-15 win over Davie Anderson. Parkside did draw blood in the shape of Paul Veitch defeating Darren Hush 19-14.

Other results saw Sighthill of Division 5 create shockwaves by defeating current Division 1 leaders Craigentinny while Maitland beat Bainfield, and Hillside beat Pilrig.

The semi-final line up reads: Maitland v Sighthill; Hillside v Carrick Knowe.