Edinburgh & Leith launch their Hamilton Trophy campaign at Currie today with defending champions West Lothian providing tough opposition in the opening battle for supremacy in the East section of the Scottish Cities and Counties Championship.
Read MoreThe return of Paul ODonnell in place of stalwart figure Andrew Ramsay is the only change in the E&L line up of skips in a formidable team formation that reads; Rink 1. Lewis Betts, Gordon Ramsay, Daniel Gormley, and Robert Marshall. Rink 2. Craig Macintosh, Robert Donaldson, Neil Watson, and Paul Veitch.
Rink 3. Adam Brock, John Ramsay, (Slateford), Darren Hush, and Paul ODonnell. Rink 4. Andy McNab, Euan Craig, Liam McKay, and James Hogg. Rink 5. Ross Noble, Stephen Pilley, Alan Brown, and John McDermott. Rink 6. Ross Thomson, Gavin Ramsay, Stephen Pringle, and John Ramsay (Carrick Knowe).
Reserves: Stuart Isbister, Ali McKenna, Josh Spalding, John Kidd.
West Lothian arrive with four changes to the line up that played in last seasons final with debut team manager John Black recalling Cameron Greer, Stevie Forrest, Jamie Aitken, and Thomas Mann while Gary Smith Scott Logan, Andy Walker, and Bryan Cooper are absentees. Rink 1. Stevie Forrest, Jamie Edwards, James Speirs, and Neil Speirs. Rink 2. Callum Black, Blair Mackie, Gary Orr, and Grant Logan. Rink 3. Jamie Aitken, Robbie Cuthill, Cameron Greer, and Thomas Mann. Rink 4. Drew Paterson, Paul Sweeney, Sandy McDougall, and Stevie Fleming. Rink 5. Ewan Shearer, Scott Mushett, Calum Logan, and Andy Dunnett. Rink 6. Darren Pearce, Barry Sword, Mark Allison, and Raymond Logan (Cpt). Reserves: Andy Walker, Jim Speirs, Scott McMaster.
Gold medal star Ronnie Duncan is on duty for Scotland in the Atlantic Rims Championship so misses Midlothian叚 opening match against East Lothian at Rosslyn. The home team line up reads; Rink 1. Andrew Wilton, Aaron Clinkscales, Dougie Russell, and Scott Briggs (cpt). Rink 2. Tom Moffat, Mark Thorburn, Craig Hodge, and Daniel McDougall. Rink 3. Mark Yuill, John Stevenson, Kevin McDougall, and Graeme Archer. Rink 4. Neil Linton, AJ Knight, Ramsay Blair, and Colin MacFarlane. Rink 5. Neil Melrose, Jack Macnab, Jim Cullen, and Colin Walker. Rink 6. Paul Innes, Ian Paterson, David McGlynn, and Colin Bonner.
Alex Marshall MBE and Derek Oliver are also on Atlantic Rim duty so East Lothian have announced the following team. Rink 1. D Young, D Stevenson, D Riva, and Brian Young. Rink 2. S Anderson, J Gordon, S Johnston, and Craig Valentine. Rink 3. C Johnston, G Inglis, T Young, and Colin Glen. Rink 4. A Cormack, S Greenan, G Dodds, and Steven Morgan. Rink 5. K Cunningham, C McLeod, G White, and John McCrorie.
Rink 6. A Martin, A Burt, S Thomson, and Mal Higgenbotham.
Edinburgh champions Craigentinny are away to their Midlothian counterparts Buchleuch in tomorrows Prelim Round action in the Countrywide Wills& Trusts Inter County Top Ten Championship.
Tranent represent the East Lothian banner and entertain Glasgow champions Rutherglen while Linlithgow carry the hopes of West Lothian at home to far travelled Harlaw of Aberdeen & Kincardine.
Craigentinny scored a good 7-2 away win over Queensberry to remain Division 1 leaders in the Alpha Trophies Edinburgh Bowling League while chief rivals Carrick Knowe moved up to second with a 9-0 win at home to Northern.