EWAN SHEARER is the Bo'ness champion for a tenth time and the 35-year-old County bowling star is chasing a record-breaking fourth title success when he lines up in the Matt Purdie & Sons-sponsored Champion of Champions event at Blackburn this weekend.
Shearer is among the 30 current club champions declared and his outstanding record in West Lothian circles includes winning the WL Masters in 2001, the District Singles (2001/04), and the Junior Open in 1995 and 2003. His three previous wins in the
C of C came in 2003/05/07 so although he is the form-book favourite in this year's line up the sequence of his success isn't in favour of the defending champion.
Shearer has drawn Alan McCormick of Bathgate High in the first round and that promises to be a tough opening test. McCormick will be looking to emulate his older brother David who captured the title in 1989 and 1997.
A late declaration from Whitburn has confirmed former junior cap Gordon Johnston as their champion and the now 31-year-old bids to emulate his C of C title success of 2002. He opens against Robert West of Philpstoun. Representation of the teenage brigade is threefold with Andrew Semple (Oakbank), Ryan Miller (Middleton Hall) and Grant Ramsay of East Calder inspired by the knowledge that Grant Logan of Kirkliston captured the title as a 17-year old back in 1993.
Semple, 17, will have to be on his toes against Stoneyburn veteran Harry Cameron who is in fine fettle having recently skipped his trio to the District Triples title.
Miller tackles George McKeating of Springgrove while the opening opponent for Ramsay is Uphall Station stalwart Derek Mairs.
Robert Knox is the host club champion for the first time and the one time Whitburn star returns to the limelight against 1996 County champion Barclay McConaghy who has refreshed his enthusiasm with a switch from Uphall Station to Pumpherston.
Glenmavis is a strong stable these days following the influx of quality from Fauldhouse and it's one of these top notchers in the shape of Walter McDougall who carries the banner and opens against the noted Iain McLean of Queensferry.
Brian Edwards represents Broxburn against Tom Stanton Snr of Bankton Mains.
The full article contains 383 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
