There is national finals action at Paisley Indoor Bowling Club this weekend and a strong local focus of attention centres on representation from East Lothian, West Lothian, and Midlothian with respective challenges being made in the gents Junior Singles, the gents 2Bowl Pairs, and the ladies 2Bowl Pairs.
The spotlight in the Under 25 Singles falls on junior cap Ewan Fallen who is a regular member of East Lothian’s team in the premier league and well fancied to emulate the title triumphs achieved by Wayne Hogg in 2004 and 2005, also Derek Oliver in 2006.
Fallen faces a tough test in Saturday’s semi final (12-30pm) with opponent Connor Milne of Turriff boasting 12 junior caps to the six of his ‘garden county’ challenger; but the East Lothian camp fancy their man to deliver the goods. The second semi final final (3pm) involves two players yet to establish a junior cap profile in the shape of Stephen Lowrie Jnr of Glasgow against Derek Ferguson of Auchinleck.
Two top-notchers in the shape of Commonwealth Games gold medal hero Neil Speirs and his fellow internationalist Calum Logan form a strong combination in the 2Bowl Pairs where the West Lothian champions bid to emulate the year 2000 title celebrations of Joey Strickland and George Sneddon. Their opposition in the semi final (10am) don’t arrive with a strong national profile but do come from a strong competitive background in the shape of Lanarkshire duo Russell Hinson and Roddy McCready.
The other semi final (12-30pm) features Andrew Munro and Kyle Ross of Inverness against Drew Boyd and John McCabe Jnr of Kilmarnock club Galleon.
Midlothian IBC have yet to house the ladies national 2Bowl Pairs crown in the trophy cabinet at their Dalkeith Stadium but could well do so after this weekend if their strong expectations are delivered by star figures Gaynor Duncan and Stacey McDougall. Both players have a junior and full cap profile and they were members of the rink that captured the Fours title in 2014 while McDougall won the 2015 junior singles crown. They open (10am) against Laura Hall and Gail Notman of East Kilbride The all-round challenge to them is hot however with the other semi final ((also 10am) featuring two high profile partnerships in Carol Condy and Janette Bray of Coatbridge against defending champions Leanne Furye and Caroline Ruxton of Arbroath. The ladies and gents Singles, The ladies Junior Singles, and The Under 18 Singles are also down for decision. All finals played on Sunday.