Balbardie face Falkirk after Fifers dumped

The ladies of Balbardie IBC are down in the dumps at losing their status as an indoor bowls Premier League club but the stars from the Park of Peace Stadium in Bathgate hope to lift their spirits with an extended run in the Scottish Cup.

A commanding preliminary round win over Tweedbank of Division One was an expected result, judging by the form of both teams, but capturing the scalp of East Fife in round one was against the odds, given their opponents’ superior record in the recently completed Premier League.

Defeating East Fife in a 6-4 thriller at the neutral venue of Abbeyview in Dunfermline reflects a strong team performance and brings the reward of a tilt at Falkirk in this weekend’s second round at Dalkeith.

Falkirk finished second in the West Division of the Premier League so they represent a major threat but, as seen with their impressive scalp in the first round, the cup does produce shock outcomes and that is the aim of a slightly changed Balbardie team. Their team line-up going into the contest reads:

Rink 1 – Margaret Armstrong, Lynne McDougall, Delia Flannigan, Angela Uttley.

Rink 2 – Sara Jane Wright, Erin Fraser, Morven Shearer, and Josie Bashini.

Rink 3 – Catherine Lochran, Helen Keys, Kim Ross, and Sharon Leitch.

Rink 4 – Betty Johnston, Nan Mitchell, Helen Wilson, and Lorraine Craig.

While Balbardie secured their safe passage into the next stage of the top national cup competition, the news was not as good for the West Lothian IBC in Livingston as their dreams were snuffed out in round one with their brigade from The Invervalmond Stadium outgunned 9-1 by Stirling at Falkirk in a result that reflected the superior form of a fellow Division One club.

Elsewhere the AGM of The West Lothian Bowling Association takes place at Whitburn Bowling Club tomorrow (Friday) with a 7pm start.

Secretary Davy Doyle is calling for a 100 per cent attendance from the 35 member clubs.