Title in sight for Anchor

Jul 6 2011 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

ANCHOR have one hand on the Paisley and District Bowling Association First Division crown after title rivals Caledonia suffered a championship collapse.

Following an impressive 11-5 win over Elderslie, the Seedhill Road table-toppers only need to pick up three points in next week’s last-day clash with second-placed Renfrew to be confirmed as 2011 champions.

Caledonia had still been within touching distance of the league leaders ahead of last week’s fixtures but blew any chance they had when they slumped to an 11-5 defeat against Barrhead, dropping them down to sixth in the standings.

Renfrew are now the only side with a realistic chance of catching the champions-elect after they conjured up a 10-6 win over Blacklandmill.

However, they will have to aim for a huge 13-point win if they are to stun Anchor.

Ferguslie climbed off the foot of the table, despite losing 9-7 to Charleston, as Kilbarchan thumped Meikleriggs 10-6, sending them to bottom place by a single point.

Ralston remain top of the Second Division after they beat Neilston 10-6.

Second-placed Victoria, however, saw their title ambitions dented by a 10-6 upset against Hawkhead.

Wellmeadow moved up to third with a 12-4 success over Priorscroft, while bottom-dogs Abercorn drew 8-8 with Linwood.

In the Reserve Division, Blacklandmill remain ahead of Caledonia at the summit after they saw off Charleston by 3-1.

Caledonia drew 2-2 with Elderslie and that was the same score for the match between Ralston and Renfrew.

Hawkhead, meanwhile, were routed 4-0 by Meikleriggs.

The full list of results was:

First Division: Anchor 11 Elderslie 5, Barrhead 11 Caledonia 5, Blacklandmill 6 Renfrew 10, Charleston 9 Ferguslie 7, Kilbarchan 10 Meikleriggs 6.

Second Division: Abercorn 8 Linwood 8, Hawkhead 10 Victoria 6, Neilston 6 Ralston 10, Priorscroft 4 Wellmeadow 12.

Reserve Division: Blacklandmill 3 Charleston 1, Caledonia 2 Elderslie 2, Hawkhead 0 Meikleriggs 4, Ralston 2 Renfrew 2. Anchor were idle.

l Today’s fixtures are:

First Division: Anchor v Renfrew, Barrhead v Elderslie, Blacklandmill v Meikleriggs, Caledonia v Ferguslie, Charleston v Kilbarchan.

Second Division: Abercorn v Wellmeadow, Hawkhead v Ralston, Linwood v Priorscroft, Neilston v Victoria.

Reserve Division: Anchor v Renfrew, Blacklandmill v Ralston, Caledonia v Charleston, Elderslie v Meikleriggs. Hawkhead are idle.