The heat on Bainfield’s bid to stay clear of the dreaded relegation zone in the B Division of the gents indoor bowls premier leagues intensifies this weekend with the under pressure Edinburgh Elite facing a tough away match against Ayr.
East Lothian are pressing leaders Falkirk for top spot and the chance to leapfrog them on shot margin presents itself tomorrow with the two teams clashing in what is a testing way fixture for ‘the garden county’. “We lost our home fixture to Falkirk by an agonising three shots early in the campaign so respect the form of the leaders however winning our last three games has generated a spirit and momentum that makes us optimistic of delivering a good result”, said team captain Scott Kennedy. Icon figure Alex Marshall MBE remains an absentee while a slightly tweaked line up reads, Rink 1. Joe Mower, Andy Jeffrey, Willie Wood MBE, and Billy Mellors. Rink 2. Ewan Fallen, Andy Burt, Graham Robertson, and Derek Oliver. Rink 3. Mark Johnston, Glenn Blair, Gary Darling, and Scott Kennedy. Rink 4. Mal Higgenbotham, Jamie Gordon, Stuart Thomson, and Jamie Higgins.
Midlothian’s first defeat in six, away to Blantyre, is followed by what looks like another tough away mission for the now joint leaders of the A Division of the premier league who lock horns with West Lothian at Livingston. Team manger Frank Gray is never without his problems over recent seasons and tomorrows welcome return of international star Ronnie Duncan is dampened by the enforced absence of another top Scotland player in the shape of Colin Walker. Ian Fleming returns to the fold at the expense of stalwart figure Drew Pearson while a tweaked line up reads, Rink 1. Colin Cook, Andy Caldwell, Danny McDougall, and Billy Peacock. Rink 2. Jamie Macnab, Ryan Yuill, Craig Hodge, and David Peacock. Rink 3. Jack Macnab, Kevin McDougall, Colin Macfarlane, and Ronnie Duncan. Rink 4. Ian Forbes (Cpt), Ian Fleming, Lindsay Plenderleith, and AJ Knight.
West Lothian team currently in the doldrums with only two wins out of six. Neil Speirs continues as an absentee while Paul O’Donnell and Stuart Johnston return at the expense of Connor McKendrick and James Greenock. Rink 1. Cameron Greer, Blair Mackie, Craig Moss, and Calum Logan. Rink 2. Dougie Mitchell, Raymond Logan, Bryan Cooper, and James Speirs. Rink 3. Richard Mark, Paul O’Donnell, Stuart Johnston, and Mark Allison. Rink 4. Nathan McKendrick, Ian Drysdale, Jamie Gracie, and Thomas Mann. (cpt).