Bowls: Bainfield set out to add to Triples success

The playdown action of the Scottish Triples Championship – ladies and gents – dominates the indoor bowling calendar this weekend and it is an event in which Edinburgh’s leading club Bainfield has enjoyed recent title success.

Paul O’Donnell skipped Craig Paterson and Craig Moss to the national crown in 2009 and repeated that glorious achievement in 2010, but the 2013 challenge will be in the hands of three new faces in Paul 
Millar, Colin Gilchrist and 
Brian Stoddart.

Bainfield’s champion trio compete in the section being hosted by East Lothian IBC so make the relatively short journey to the Meadowmill stadium at Tranent tomorrow to take on Allander in the prelim round at 9.30am. “We have a lot to live up to given the club’s recent success in the event but we all have Premier League experience that might gives us an edge. We also hope our knowledge of the venue will help us against Allander,” said Millar.

If Bainfield progress through to the first round proper, their opposition at 2pm would be Tweedbank or Abbeyview.

Added interest at Meadowmill is provided by the presence of West Lothian and Balbardie, with the former represented by internationalists Calum Logan, Neil Speirs and Thomas Mann.

West Lothian launch their campaign with a tough-looking prelim match against Falkirk, with East Fife or Fintry awaiting the winner, while Graham Keery, David Lawrie and Gary Orr represent the Balbardie banner. Balbardie open in the prelim round against Teviotdale with the winner gong on to face Alloa in the first round. The Sunday play switches venue to Midlothian IBC at Dalkeith.

Portobello also represent the Capital banner and field a formidable-looking trio in Jamie Reid, Chris Steven and Andrew Caldwell, who travel along the M8 to compete at Glasgow IBC.

Caldwell & Co have been done no favours by the draw as their opposition in the prelim round comes in the shape of East Lothian hotshots Mark Johnston, Willie Wood MBE and Derek Oliver. East Lothian will start favourites to win the section honours but should be tested by Portobello after which the winners will face Ardrossan or Whiteinch in the first round proper.

Midlothian also look a real danger but depending on his results in the World Singles Championship down at Potters, the hugely-talented Colin Walker may not be available to skip Ronnie Duncan and Billy Peacock. Midlothian have a bye into the first round proper where they play East Kilbride.

In the ladies’ version of the 
title, Midlothian have a bye into the first round at Glasgow tomorrow. The Bainfield banner is represented by Mandy O’Donnell, Anna Anderson and Kathryn O’Donnell who have a bye into the first round at Dalkeith and are close in the draw to Irene Taylor, Jennifer Sneddon and Ann Clark of West Lothian.

Balbardie open against Falkirk in the prelim round while Nicola Barclay, Rosemary Macintosh and Cathy Ward of Portobello begin against 
Ardrossan at Glasgow.