Bowls: On-song Downie earns Scotland call-up for Swansea trip

Chris DOWNIE’S outstanding form for Bainfield in the national indoor bowls league, and in recently winning the Scottish 2-Bowl Pairs title with Colin Hutchison, has been recognised with a full cap debut for Scotland in the Home International series in Swansea in March.

The 30-year-old will make the trip to Wales in the company of two of his Bainfield colleagues, Craig Moss and Gavin Smith.

East Lothian make the major contribution to the team of 24 players and three reserves, with five stars from the county, including Willie Wood, who appears in his 27th series.

The bowls legend will extend his record number of caps to 81 since making his debut in 1972, while clubmate Graham Robertson, who has won 78 caps as an ever-present since 1987, will captain the Scots. The East Lothian contingent is completed by Alex Marshall, Scott Kennedy and Derek Oliver.

Cameron Greer of West Lothian IBC steps up from the junior international arena to make his full cap debut and is joined on the trip by fellow Inveralmond Stadium stars Neil Speirs, Mark Allison (recall) and Calum Logan (reserve). The strong influence from Edinburgh and the Lothians is further enhanced by Midlothian duo Ronnie Duncan and Colin Walker.

Rink 1: Wayne Hogg (East Fife), Steven Allan, Mike Stepney (Elgin), Alex Marshall. Rink 2: Brian Irvine (Blantyre), Cameron Greer, Scott Kennedy, Paul Foster. Rink 3: Chris Downie, Mark Allison, Iain McLean (Blantyre), Darren Burnett. Rink 4: Craig Moss, Gavin Smith, Jonathan Ross (Paisley), Robert Grant. Rink 5: Paul Boyd (Prestwick), Stuart Cruickshank (Elgin), Willie Wood, Colin Walker. Rink 6: Ronnie Duncan, Graham Robertson, Neil Speirs, Derek Oliver. Reserves: Steven Glen (Falkirk), Calum Logan, Martin McCalley.