Bowls: McLean and Marshall to fight it out for Tait Trophy

Derek McLEAN of Tanfield was in devastating form last night when crushing Tom Headspeath of Beechwood 21-4 in the Tait Trophy semi-finals.

McLean, 53, and winner of the Tait in 1986, settled quickly to the pace of the fast-running green, leading 7-4 after nine ends then thrilled his support in the good sized crowd with a seven-end acceleration of 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3 to clinch victory in 16 ends in the Broughton Properties/Kelly Joiners-sponsored event.

And according to McLean, victory was down to experience. “I have Edinburgh Bowling League knowledge of the Craigentinny green that runs fast in one direction and a bit slower in the other and was able to master that situation better than Tom,” said McLean. “I feel sorry for Tom as the margin of defeat doesn’t do his career form justice but I had to press home my advantage as players of his ability can bounce back if given the sniff of a chance.”