BAINFIELD bowler Mandy O'Donnell's quest for the Scottish Junior Singles championship title fell in the quarter-final stage of the playdowns.
O'Donnell – capped at full and junior level – made a strong bid to emulate the qualifying success of her brother Paul in the men's equivalent on the same carpet at Abbeyview (Dunfermline) but failed to cope with Ailsa Robertson of Dundee.
The Bain
field challenger made a brilliant start to her campaign, just pipping defending champion Sarah Ewing of Headwell 21-19.
O'Donnell was again in tip-top form to see off the challenge from Kim Hogan of East Lothian in the second round, winning 21-4 to raise expectations of an O'Donnell family double.
But she failed to join her brother in the next and final stage of the championships to be held at West of Scotland IBC on Saturday, 28 November after being beaten 21-11 by Robertson.
Edinburgh and Lothian will be represented in the women's junior event, however, thanks to a walkover and a couple of fine performances from junior cap Lisa Barrett of West Lothian IBC.
Barrett – playing at East Kilbride – received a bye into round two and opened her account with a 21-12 win over Emmy McIntyre of Dumbarton then secured her place in the last four with a battling 21-18 win over Claire Walker of Blantyre.
The teenage star from the Inveralmond stadium in Livingston will now face Robertson for a place in the final while the other two semi-finalists are Rebecca Campbell of Alloa and Michelle Cooper of Ardrossan.
Gaynor Blair carried the Midlothian banner into the second round at the 21-13 expense of Dianne Gordon (East Fife) but her progress was halted by a 21-5 defeat from Campbell.
• PLAY in the women's league cup saw Portobello win the Edinburgh derby by making home advantage count in a commanding 100-72 triumph over Bainfield in the C section of Division 1.
Porty's fourth win in five games makes them joint top with East Lothian and Tweedbank while Bainfield remain pointless.
East Lothian have a superior short margin which was enhanced by their 99-30 home win over Teviotdale while Tweedbank enjoyed an 86-75 away win over West Lothian.
Balbardie crushed Cumbernauld 108-75 at Bathgate and share top spot in the D section with Whiteinch, who enjoyed a 77-63 home win over Allander. Stirling beat Fintry 87-67 away.
In the A section of the Premier League, Midlothian suffered an 82-76 defeat at Turriff which knocked them off top spot.
The Midlothian rinks skipped by Agnes Melrose (25-10) and Grace McGregor (24-16) both won but defeat for Janette Conlan (29-9) and Gaynor Blair (27-18) cost them the points.
