Tomorrows programme of fixtures is the Bowls equivalent of football’s Super Saturday and Bainfield is at the eye of the storm in terms of facing the fight of their lives to preserve their indoor bowls premier league status.
Read moreEdinburgh’s Elite sit anchored at the foot of the A section of the premier league going into the final game of the 10 match campaign and although there is a glimmer of hope that they can escape an automatic drop to Division 1 it will take more than a victory over middle of the table Abbeyview.It’s a must win fixture for Bainfield against the Fifers at The Hutchison Crossway Stadium but the visitors represent a tough challenge having shown they are capable of strong away form with a win over joint leaders Midlothian at Dalkeith.“We lost the equivalent fixture against them at Dunfermline by 11 shots so we have that to overturn but while a victory for us is essential we also need Midlothian to do us a massive favour by beating Coatbridge at Dalkeith”, says Bainfield team manager Alan Brown.
Bainfield can’t escape the relegation zone completely but if results go their way they can – because of a better shot margin bank – leapfrog Coatbridge into the second from bottom playoff position.Brown’s hopes of fielding a full-strength team have been hit by the absence of stalwart skip Barry Hill due to injury but there is an upside with the news that Bainfield’s “rock like figure” in the shape of Gavin Smith returns to the line –up.“Gavin’s presence at skip gives the team a huge boost and we also benefit from the return of an experienced engine room player in the shape of Craig Aitken at second so all told we are well equipped to fight for our lives”, said Brown.Brown has also tinkered with his team formation with the decision to switch junior cap Daniel Gormley from lead to third and Jamie Reid from third to lead.Rink 1. Graeme McIntosh, Craig Aitken, Brian Stoddart, and Colin Hutchison.Rink 2. Jamie Reid, Alan Brown, Daniel Gormley, and James Hogg.Rink 3. Josh Spalding, Mark McIntosh, John McDermott, and Gavin Smith.Rink 4. Adam Brock, Danny McCourt, Kevin Tennant, and Craig Paterson ©.
Whilst the Bainfield players must remain 100 percent focused their will be anxious spectator interest in developments at Dalkeith when Midlothian have the huge incentive of staying in the mix for a place in the playoff final.Midlothian would have to steal it but if the impossible dream of a drawn game between Blanyre and West Lothian is realised then a victory for the Dalkeith side would cause their stadium to erupt.The top of the table position reading, West Lothian 12 (+145), Blantyre 12 (+139), Midlothian 12 (+21).eenager Jack Macnab is unavailable and rising star Neil Watson remains sidelined so team manager Frank Gray has announced the following team.Rink 1. Ian Forbes, Colin Bonner, Sandy (AJ) Knight, and Colin Walker.Rink 2. Jamie Aitken, Ian Fleming, Colin MacFarlane, and Billy Peacock.Rink 3. Colin Cook, David Munro, Kevin McDougall, and Ronnie Duncan.Rink 4. Jamie Macnab, Lindsey Plenderleith, Andy Caldwell, and David Peacock ©.