British Isles titleholders Jamie Higgins and Derek Oliver are the high profile partnership representing the East Lothian banner in the playdown action of the Scottish 4-Bowl Pairs Championship that takes centre stage on the indoor bowls scene this weekend
Read moreThe East Lothian champions captured the national title in 2013 and launch their campaign for a repeat success with a prelim tie against Dennis Buchanan and Max Taylor of Fintry on the 9-30am session at Cumbernauld tomorrow. Cumbernauld is also the venue for Midlothian challengers Kevin McDougall and Jamie Hanlon who are attempting to follow in the footsteps of their Dalkeith stadium colleagues Ronnie Duncan and Colin Walker who won the 2014 title. The Midlothian partnership face tough prelim round opposition in the shape of Paisley duo John Thomson and Callum Taggart on the 9-30am session. Balbardie also make the short journey to Cumbernauld where their champion duo of Peter Lynch and Sandy McDougall have a bye into the first round where they face Ross Kinneil and Graeme Martin of Headwell on the 2pm session. Carrick Knowe outdoor stars Kevin Tennant and Colin Mitchell transfer their skills to the indoor scene under the banner of Bainfield and carry the hopes of Edinburgh into action at Dalkeith where they open against Castlemilk in the prelim round at 9-30am. The West Lothian banner is carried by Richard Mark and Mark Allison who have a bye into the 2pm first round and have a tough looking challenge in the shape of their East Fife counterparts Gary Mackie and James Forbes.
The ladies national pairs playdown action also takes place this weekend and the Midlothian challenge is a high profile one in the shape of internationalists Stacey Laidlaw and Sandra McLeish who are no strangers to celebrating title success. Laidlaw – just returned from a medal winning trip to Australia – won this pairs title with Carol Ashby in 2012 while McLeish captured it in 1999 with Agnes Melrose. The Midlothian champions are in action at Cumbernauld where they open on the 9-30am session against Emma McIntyre and Annette Christie of Dumbarton in the prelim round. The East Lothian banner is represented at Cumbernauld by the Mother and Daughter partnership of Rosemary and Gillian Mackintosh who have a bye into the first round where they go head to head with Betty Johnston and Kim Ross of Balbardie on the 2pm session. Bainfield make the short trip to East Lothian IBC where their champion duo of Kathryn O’Donnell and Alison Ross launch their campaign in the prelim round against Rebecca Craig and Seona Black of Falkirk. Wendy Purdie captured the national title in 2009 for West Lothian IBC and is back seeking further glory as skip to Claire Watson opening in the first round against Karren McAndrew and Ceceilia Smith of East Fife. Play continues at Cumbernauld and East Lothian on Sunday.