Doig’s chance to stake New Zealand claim

Strathmiglo’s Lesley Doig has a big weekend in front of her, because a good performance in the British women’s under-25 bowls championships in Bridgend would advance her claims for a place in Scotland’s five-woman team for the world outdoor championships in New Zealand in November.

Doig was disappointed to be named as travelling reserve in the senior women’s team in Sighthill last month, but is still part of Scotland’s elite squad from which the World Bowls team will be chosen.

A junior internationalist since 2011, this will be Doig’s sixth consecutive appearance in the junior series, and she has been selected to lead on the rinks skipped by Megan Grantham, from Eskmills, who has been recalled to the side.

Playing second on the same rink will be Abbeyview ace Gemma Forrester, who made her international debut two years ago and, like Grantham, has been recalled.

Scotland launch their bid for the British under-25 team title this morning against defending champions England, and will return to the green after lunch to take on Ireland. Tomorrow they face Wales.

But Doig will really come into her own tomorrow afternoon, when she challenges for the British women’s under-25 singles title –having lost in the final in 2009, when she was Lesley Gordon, and scored a brilliant victory in the 2012 final.

She faces England sensation Sophie Tolchard in the semi finals, for the right to face Katie Thomas of Wales or Ireland’s Allana McKee.