Bowls: MacDonald back in action as Northern step up cup bid

Hero skip Jim Bathgate is moved to third to accommodate the return of Ian MacDonald to the position and other changes are made from the team that beat cup holders Craigentinny in a line-up that has been  announced as:

Rink 1: Gary Largue, MJ Burns, Ian Miller and Mike Burns.

Rink 2: Bob Bain, John Prentice, George Prentice and David Scott.

Rink 3: Grant Young, David Burns, Jim Bathgate and Ian MacDonald.

Rink 4: Garry Harrison, Gordon Wilson Snr, Andy Reid and Gordon Wilson Jnr.

Rink 5: Darren Prentice, Hugh Hilson, Stan Christie and Jamie Reid.

Rink 6: Jim Martin, Bob Scott, Alan Mitchell and Roy Campbell.

THE other fixtures in the event, sponsored by Specsavers Optician of Shandwick Place, are: Willowbrae v Goldenacre; Summerside v London Road  Foundry; Corstorphine v Pilrig.

n IT’S set to be a busy weekend for Northern as they are scheduled to have home green advantage against Goldenacre on Sunday in the first round proper of the E&L Top Five Singles for the Ian McFarlane Trophy.

Stan Christie is the spearhead figure for Northern and he is supported by Garry Harrison, Gordon Wilson Jnr, Andy Reid and Jamie Reid.

Goldenacre will be led into the battle by Colin Hutchison, supported by father Jim, Malcolm Thomson, Mark Hogg, and club champion Willie King.

n TUESDAY’S report on  Craigentinny winning the  British Isles Triples title  suggested that Andrew Caldwell, Darren Smith and Gary Nisbet’s success was, following the Junior Singles success of Richard Corsie in 1983, only the second time the club had secured a UK crown. We’re happy to point out that Craigentinny trailblazers  Willie Scott and Sandy  Henderson captured the British Pairs crown in 1968.