Oliver has won it once, but still wants more

Published on Friday 7 November 2008 09:29

THE Scottish Under-25 Bowls Singles championship kicks off tomorrow with the Lothian area interest focused on the play at Portobello IBC.

East Lothian provide a major challenger in junior cap Derek Oliver who went the full course and distance to capture the title in 2006 and launches his latest bid against the representative from Abbeyview at 11.00am.

The challenge from Edinburgh club Bainfield is in the hands of junior cap Craig Moss, while teenager Jamie Reid of Portobello adds additional interest for the Capital. Moss misses the prelims and takes on Headwell or Falkirk in the first round at 2.00pm.

Reid, 16, plays at Cumbernauld against Inverclyde.

Junior cap Calum Logan represents West Lothian and the teenager opens against Stirling in the 11.00am session at Portobello alongside Kevin McDougall of Midlothian, who faces Teviotdale. Balbardie were casting around for a representative and have settled on Mark McCullagh, who plays Tweedbank on the 2.00pm session at Portobello.

It is also ladies' day tomorrow in the National Junior Singles Championship and a highlight at Portobello will be the clash of Under- 25 caps Mandy O'Donnell of Bainfield and Emma Brown of East Lothian at 10.00am.

Junior cap Donna Young represents Midlothian, while recently-crowned World Under-25 Mixed Pairs champion Lisa Barrett challenges for West Lothian.

Meanwhile, Test Match indoor bowls comes to Livingston this weekend with West Lothian IBC playing host to a two-day series featuring Singles, Pairs, and Triples between Team Guernsey and a Scotland select.

Bainfield junior caps Colin Hutchison and Paul O'Donnell are joined in the Scotland squad by Gavin Smith with East Lothian's Mal Higgenbotham and Jamie Higgins.

The squad of 12 also includes West Lothian's Thomas Mann, Mark Allison and Cameron Greer.