Bowls: Big guns are spiked in District 11

Two major players were knocked out of the Singles in the Edinburgh District 11 national bowls championships last night – but not without a fight.

Scott Mackintosh, national runner-up in 2009, threw away an 11-0 lead against Stan Christie of Northern, who fought back to beat the London Road Foundry man, 12-times club champion, at Brunstane.

The son of late bowls legend Jackie Christie – who won the Pairs gold with Alex McIntosh in the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch – survived some late pressure to win 21-17 in 23 ends.

And Tanfield’s Andrew Sneddon, the defending champion, found he had a tiger by the tail in the shape of Hillside’s Gary Muir in their match at Queensberry. Peels were called at 13-13 in an enthralling battle at Queensberry but Muir then moved to 16 only for Sneddon to hit back with 1, 1, 4 to 19 before Muir carded a 4 to 20.

Muir lay a shot for the game at the next end but Sneddon beat it to keep the pot boiling with a single to 20-20 then the Tanfield champ lay a shot for the match on end 25 only to be dramatically denied by a last-bowl draw from Muir.

Elsewhere, Craigentinny champion Andrew Caldwell kept his hat in the ring with a 21-10 win over Brian Duffus of Tramways.

Summerside also played host to a cracking encounter with Ian Kent of Dudley collapsing from 18-13 up to go 20-18 down to Davie Scott of Niddrie. Kent saved the day with a 3 for a 21-10 victory.

Craigentinny celebrated a double success in the Junior Singles with Josh Spalding picking up the pace from 6-5 to beat Ross Parker of Maitland, 21-7 at Dudley while Daniel Gormley raced to a 21-6 win over Gibby Davidson of Queensberry at Wardie.

Euan Craig of Pilrig finished with a double to beat Jamie McIntosh of Tanfield, 21-7 at Seafield while Jamie Reid of Northern battled to a 21-17 win over Andy Barrie of Brunstane at Blackhall.

Other results: Malcolm Thom (Portobello) 21 James McDonaugh (Maitland) 14; Tam Ebbs (Queensberry) 21 Fred Neillings (Jessfield) 19; Kevin McNab (Dean) 21 Norrie Chalmers (Summerside) 14; Craig Duffus (Willowbrae) 21 Mark Hogg (Goldenacre) 15.