The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scotland bowls captain eyes title in final under-25 event
BOWLING: Firsttime captain hopes last appearance at under-25 level sees him lead Scotland to home international title in Belfast
Arbroath’s “Wizard of Oz” Ryan Burnett is targeting international bowling glory this weekend.
And a win in the under-25 home international series in Belfast would be especially memorable for the 24-yearold who captains his country for the first time.
Scotland will face the hosts Ireland and Wales on Saturday before a clash with the Auld Enemy England on Sunday, which he hopes will be the match that decides the outcome of the contest.
Ryan is now based in Australia, playing bowls full-time with the Broadbeach Bulls, but he was never going to turn down the opportunity to represent Scotland at under-25 level for the final time.
“It’s going to be a huge weekend as I’m captain of the under-25s. I came out last year and really enjoyed it and when Paul Foster (team manager) asked me to play this year, I said yes right away,” revealed Ryan.
“He’s given me the captaincy as well and it’s the first time ever I’ve been captain. It’s always an honour to represent your country, but to lead them out as captain in your last series at under-25 level will be something special.
“We’re gunning for the win. The boys are fired up.
“It’s such a great honour to lead them out and it will be something I’ll always remember regardless of the result, but as I say we want that win. I can’t wait to get going.”
The format is four fours, with 16 players representing their country. Ryan’s rink includes Chris Stein from East Fife, Jamie McNab of Midlothian, who is earning his first cap, and Greig McLaughlin from Blantyre.
Now a veteran of the under-25s, he has been practising every day at the Arbroath indoor club since returning from Australia a couple of weeks ago. It is his fifth series at under-25 level, winning it once, and he wants to make it two and go out on a high.
“I’ve played with Chris before and he’s one of my best mates in bowls, so it would be great to win it again playing with him,” added Ryan.
“All going well we will face England in a shoot-out on Sunday morning. There’s a large travelling support going over so hopefully we can give them something to shout about.”
Down Under, the Arbroath man had a great 2017, winning the league with his club, a few local tournaments and the highlight being success in the Australian open fours with his brother, Darren, Alex Marshall and Paul Foster.
“2017 was one of the best years for Broadbeach Bulls and I’ve made a good start to 2018. Practice has been going well and I played in an East Lothian proam tournament which was good preparation, playing against some top players, like Alex Marshall and Derek Oliver, who are preparing for the Commonwealth Games,” said Ryan.
“I can’t fault my preparation and I am raring to go.”
Later this year, Ryan will play in the World Youth Championships for the last time when he is aiming to repeat the success he enjoyed three years ago.
“I won the gold medal in 2015 and I would love to get that again – or a medal at least – in my final year,” he said.
And he would love to get his hands on a full Scotland cap.
“It’s difficult because I’m playing out of the country, but if I keep doing well on the world stage and then get back in the high performance squad I can take it from there,” he said.
“If I keep myself on the map, fingers crossed I’ll get the breakthrough.”
It’s always an honour to represent your country, but to lead them outas captain in your last series at under-25 level will be something special. RYAN BURNETT