Bowls: Craig rocks on in bid to retain trophy

The Edinburgh & Leith Under-25 Singles for the coveted James S Fleming Trophy has attracted 84 of the Capital’s budding bowlers and the event swung into its prelim round action on Thursday night.

Euan Craig, 24, the defending champion from Pilrig enters the race for the title in the first round proper and faces Ross Neil of Bainfield however the prelim action did benefit from a high profile challenger in the shape of 17-year-old Josh Spalding of Craigentinny.

Spalding raised his profile to national level last season when reaching the final of the Scottish Junior Singles at Ayr so now carries the weight of great expectations on his young shoulders.

The Craigentinny star launched his Fleming campaign with a swashbuckling 4 and 4 start to lead Michael Simmons of Blackhall 8-0 at Carrick Knowe.

Simmons broke his duck with a 1, 2 reply to 3 but the Carrick Knowe green –considered to be one of the best in Edinburgh- treated Spalding a treat and he swept to a 21-7 victory in 15 ends.

Dean BC played host to an interesting tie featuring Reece Nairn of Queensberry and Jamie McIntosh of Tanfield and an excellent 24-end battle saw 17 year old Nairn spring a 21-16 surprise.