East Lothian ladies aim to keep their super-charged run in the indoor bowls Scottish Cup going with a place in the semi finals at stake when the stars from the Alex Marshall Arena face Balbardie in tomorrows (Sat) head to head at Edinburgh venue Bainfield.
Read MoreTheir 9-1 demolition of premier league playoff finalists Midlothian in the first round was followed by an 8-2 triumph over Stirling and expectations in the camp are high that the confidence built up by that momentum will inspire a victory over their Bathgate based opposition.
East Lothian finished a massive 10 points ahead of Balbardie in the recently completed Premier Division East League and that included taking all 4 points against tomorrows rivals.
Team manager Sheena Currie has enjoyed the luxury of a near full strength squad to pick from and that includes the inspiring presence of Emma Logan and Yvonne Veitch returning from Scotlands Home International triumph over in Belfast. Colleague Dee Hoggan is an absentee however in a team that reads;
Rink 1. Margaret Murray, Jean Russell, Megan Kivlin, and Emma Logan. Rink 2. Melissa Penman, Muriel Hamilton, Irene Gray, and Yvonne Veitch. Rink 3. Pat Turner, Margaret Devine, Gillian Mackintosh, and Lauren Baillie. Rink 4. Hazel Fender, Cathy Ward, Margaret Thomson, and Janet Fairnie.
Balbardie only managed one win out of eight in their league campaign so their form lines dont inspire confidence however they do have high performing figures like Sharon Leitch, Angela Uttley, Delia Flannigan, and international skip Lorraine Craig in a line that reads, Rink 1. Sarajane Wright, Erin Fraser, Margaret Scally, and Josie Bachini. Rink 2. Nicole Flannigan, Lynn McDougall, Delia Flannigan, and Angela Uttley. Rink 3. Irene Horsburgh, Helen Keys, Kim Ross, and Sharon Leith. Rink 4. Betty Johnston, Nan Mitchell, Helen Wilson, and Lorraine Craig.
Balbardie IBC have reached the semi final stage of the 17 club Central District Top Six Seniors Championship and are set to face Alloa at Midlothian IBC on Sunday 26th of March.
The Dalkeith Stadium also play host to the semi final featuring hat trick seeking title holders Abbeyview against two times champions Perth. The quarterfinal results were, Perth 4 Lanarkshire 2; Abbeyview 4 Bainfield 2; Alloa 4 Falkirk 2; Balbardie 4 Midlothian 2.
It was a major national presidential year moment for Catherine Shearer of Balbardie IBC when she hoisted aloft the coveted Clara Johns Trophy retained by the Scotland Ladies team at the British Isles International Series played at Belfast. Scotland romped to wins over Wales (151-88); Ireland (172-85); and England (129-84). Local heroes in the six rink team included, East Lothian trio Emma Logan, Yvonne Vietch, and new cap Dee Hoggan, also Stacey McDougall of Midlothian and Balbardies Lorraine Craig.