Edinburgh and Leith make changes as heavyweights square up

Published on Friday 23 May 2008 10:27

THE East Section of the Scottish Cities & Counties Bowls Championship hots up tomorrow with top sides Edinburgh and Leith hosting East Lothian at Balerno and West Lothian facing Midlothian at Armadale.

Edinburgh and Leith haven't really fired in their opening two games and, with changes being made, look ill-prepared to take on an East Lothian side that not only oozes class but has made a flying start with big wins over Border and West Fife.

The introduction of Gavin Smith and John Storrier will be welcomed by the Edinburgh and Leith support as they were two of several surprise omissions in the first place, however, young talents Chris Steven and John McDermott are sidelined.

Jamie Gracie is unavailable but international star Billy Mellors makes a return and will skip with Alan Poole reverting to third.

Edinburgh and Leith always have the best potential but are without a title success since 2001 and having already suffered one defeat and punched below their weight so far need to rise to the challenge against the section leaders.

Both East Lothian name an unchanged team as does West Lothian for the visit of Midlothian to Armadale.

Midlothian make two enforced changes with Neil Melrose and Aaron Clinkscale drafted in to replace front-enders Eddie Adams and Douglas Russell.

MIDLOTHIAN Under-25s beat national champions Edinburgh and Leith 121-115 in the Scottish League Cup match at Willowbrae. Scott Briggs, Martin Wyllie, Steven Currie and Andrew Buerle skipped winning rinks for the visitors while Colin Hutchison and Jamie Gracie were successful for E&L.