The final of the Weslo Housing Management-sponsored event was an 18-end affair played in good weather and in front of a decent crowd that witnessed a strong and dominating second-half performance from Holloran.
Ford opened with a double and led
4-2 after three ends, however, Holloran quickly crossed to 10-4 with a run of 4, 1, 3 that suggested he had got to grips with line, length and the pace of the green.
Holloran then conceded a three and a single to be tested at 10-8 but his answer was a positive one in the shape of a four-end purple patch that yielded 1, 4, 1, 1 and installed him in the driving seat at 17-8.
The leader had introduced a short-mat-short-jack tactic that he mastered well and, having achieved a considerable cushion, he moved the score along to 19-10 and duly wrapped up the title with successive singles to 21.
"I am thrilled to win this title from a competitive field of 118 and compliment the WLBA and Weslo for combining to give the Seniors of our County the opportunity to compete in a prestigious event," said the new champion.
The morning semi-final action had seen Holloran fully extended to edge a 21-19 thriller over Jim Arthur of Kinneil in 26 ends having picked up from 12-11 to lead 20-14 before answering intense pressure at 20-19 with a single.
The single to win was gilt- edged as Arthur held the two shots he needed for victory but was denied by a brilliant last-bowl draw from Holloran.
Mike Ford faced 90-year old Angus McKenzie of neighbour club Bo'ness in the other semi-final and it was ding-dong battle up to 8-8, after which Ford made telling space to 18-10.
McKenzie showed his fighting qualities by capturing four of the next five ends but was restricted to singles and his great run in the tournament was brought to an end with Ford carding a double on the 22nd end to win 21-14.
&149 THE curtain comes down on the Edinburgh Bowling League season at Leith BC tomorrow with the six finals of the Ian Mackay (Contracts)-sponsored Knockout Championships (2pm).
The top-of-the-bill action in the Singles features Gary Swain of Portobello and Ian Gardiner of Maitland while its Kyle Newall of Hillside against Craig Ramsay of the host club in the Junior Singles.
The other finals are: Pairs: Brunstane v Maitland; Triples: Liberton v Hillside; Fours: Craigentinny v Parkside; Seniors: Niddrie v Coltbridge.
The full article contains 470 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
