Scots can clinch home glory by defeating Auld Enemy

Arbroath’s Darren Burnett faced a familiar foe in Welsh Wizard Jason Greenslade, a fellow member of the World Bowls Tour elite, yesterday when Scotland defeated Wales in the Men’s Home International Bowls Series at Paisley Indoor Bowling Club.

“We won comfortably by 55 shots overall, but on our rink it was a great game, and very close,” Burnett said, after signing a 20-16 scorecard. “Their lead played exceptionally well, and Jason is always dangerous, so we’ve got to be pleased with that win.”

Scotland, who were held by Wales early in the game, finished well and posted a 148-93 result to add to their 135-93 win over Ireland.

The Scots are now two shots better off than England, who also made short work of Wales and Ireland.

This afternoon will see a packed house at the Paisley club, where the now traditional title decider will take place. It’s winner takes all, but a draw – always an unlikely scenario – would suit Scotland with their superior shots advantage.

“We were keeping an eye on what was happening across the green and it was good to see a couple of our rinks sprinting away,” said Burnett.

“That meant we were not under any pressure, and could concentrate on winning our own personal battle.”

In the end, Scotland won on four rinks, lost on one and tied on the sixth, where Alex Marshall’s rink picked up a last-end count of four shots to tie, 18-18.

Blantyre’s Stewart Anderson skipped his rink to a 28-12 win over Damian Doubler’s quartet, but the biggest result was a 43-9 win for the rink skipped by Anderson’s clubmate Iain McLean.