Bowls: Contenders ready for last eight clashes

The Cities & Counties Bowls Championship enters its knockout stage tomorrow with West Lothian and Midlothian still contenders for the title.

West Lothian hold the title and are firm favourites to retain it, however, they do face stiff opposition at Gorebridge in the shape of Lanarkshire South, who have celebrated two recent successes in 2006 and 2008.

West Lothian have won the title ten times but never back to back so will be hungry to keep that prospect alive. All six WL skips are of international stature - John Aitken, Graeme Archer, Grant Logan, Thomas Mann, Gary Smith and Neil Speirs.

Midlothian went great guns in their East section qualifying campaign and were only silenced by West Lothian so team spirit is extremely strong and confidence high that they can deliver against Dumfriesshire at Kilmarnock Northwest.

Midlothian deal with the enforced absence of Andrew Kelly by shuffling Jamie Mitchell into his place and recalling Craig Adamson.

The other quarter-finals feature Renfrewshire West v Highland, and Angus v Ayrshire.