Bainfield's confidence high

Published on Friday 3 October 2008 09:46

BAINFIELD are looking forward to opening their indoor bowls Premier League campaign against a formidable Midlothian side at the Hutchison Crossway Stadium tomorrow.

"Last season we put Bainfield back on the national map as a force to be reckoned with by winning the Scottish Cup and that success bred a fantastic team spirit that we aim to foster," said junior cap Paul O'Donnell.

O'Donnell and fellow team member Gavin Smith have taken on the role of team selectors and the O'Donnell said: "Our first decision as selectors was to keep faith with our cup-winning team and with just one enforced change (Alex Ross is an absentee due to a chest infection] there is a feeling of confidence in our camp."

Lily McIntosh has retired from the major stage and is replaced by Brian Stoddart, who comes in at second to Jamie Gracie, Colin Hutchison and Robert Marshall.

Darren Grant is switched from second to lead and lines up with Neil Butters, Craig Moss and Chris Steven while Smith skips Alan Trotter, Graeme McIntosh and Alan Brown. O'Donnell skips Chris Downie, Stuart Patterson and Stevie McLeod.

Midlothian will look for inspiration from international stars David Peacock and Colin Walker, along with fellow skips Willie Rankin and Billy Peacock.

Debutant Calum Crawford, 20, leads Ian Forbes, Tom Russell and Walker while former Bainfield star Ian Brown returns at third to Martin Wyllie, Davie Munro and Rankin.

Billy Peacock skips Steven Currie, Scott Matthews and A J Knight while David Peacock is fronted by Ronnie Duncan, David Salkeld and Drew Pearson.