Bowls: Slateford go north in hunt for new title

SLATEFORD were the bowls kingpins of The Top Ten in the late 90s when they won the national crown back to back in 1996/97 and, as Edinburgh champions once again, they return to the scene this season with serious intent to take another title.

The draw sends Slateford on a long-distance adventure to face New Deer of Buchan County for tomorrow's first-round test in the Specsavers-sponsored 2010 Inter County Tournament.

"It is a journey into unknown territory for us and New Deer will be tough opposition on their own turf however we remain an experienced team and are confident of doing the Edinburgh banner proud," said Slateford's Gordon Ramsay.

That note of confidence is inspired by the presence of Robert Marshall as their spearhead figure in the Singles and the early signs are that the three times Tait Trophy and 15 times club champion is in fine form.

The three high-profile Ramsay brothers are also to the fore with Gordon skipping Dougie Martin in the Pairs and Andrew skipping Ronnie and Rab Stewart in the Triples. Scott Brunton skips the Four with Michael Fraser, Louis Beaton and John Ramsay (no relation) as his front three.

Tranent reached the semi-final stage of the national back in 1994 and are back as East Lothian champions with a visit to Kingswood, Glasgow, their first port of call.

John McCrorie, the year 2000 national singles champion and a former Evening News Champion of Champions at Balgreen, is the spearhead figure in the Singles while Jamie Higgins, Alan Young, and Brian Wyllie skip the Pairs, Triples and Fours respectively.

Gilmerton Private carried the Midlothian banner to a good 6-2 success over Keith of Highland in the prelim round and have another home tie with Abergeldie of Bon Accord providing the opposition.

• EDINBURGH & LEITH are going for a hat-trick of wins when the holders of the national title take on East Lothian at Castlepark tomorrow in the Scottish Under-25 League Cup.

John Bell of Parkside is down south on international trial duty for England so Ross Noble of Sighthill is given his chance at second to Paul O'Donnell with Stewart Jenkin switched to third for John McDermott.