West Lothian picked to host Premier League Play-off final

Feb 17 2011 by Mairon Laird, West Lothian Courier

SIBA President Willie Duff of Balbardie IBC plays host to a major calendar event this Saturday and has nominated neighbour club West Lothian as the venue for the Premier League play-off final featuring Midlothian against Lanarkshire.

Lanarkshire arrive at the Inveralmond stadium in Livingston as the current holders and are aiming for a fourth title success, while Midlothian have a second in their sights having first captured the coveted crown in 2000.

It's a 1pm start and the final heralds a return to Livingston of former West Lothian big gun Graeme Archer who now bowls for Midlothian and will skip a rink comprising Martin Wylie Robert Crawford and AJ Knight.

David Peacock is the Midlothian skip, leading Robert Campbell, Robert Trench and former national triples champion Willie Rankin, while the older Peacock brother, Billy, skips Ronnie Duncan Andrew Kelly and Lindsay Plenderleith.

Scotland caps Steven Currie and Colin Walker play lead and skip respectively to David Salkeld and Graham Walker.

Lanarkshire beat Midlothian in the final of the Hamilton Trophy last summer and will attempt to do the outdoor/indoor double with the following strong line up: Rink 1 – Jonathan Craigens, Hugh Smith, John Paul McParland and Robert Gordon.

Rink 2 – Gordon Prentice, Brian Rae, Sandy Syme and Gary Neilson.

Rink 3 – Craig Boyd, Steven Hume, Stewart Harrison and Jim Meikle.

Rink 4 – Craig Martin, Michael McParland, George Prosser and Robert Grant.

Action in the prelim round action of the Scottish Cup last weekend saw five times title winners West Lothian start their 2011 campaign with a 135-56 victory over Clydebank at Lanarkshire IBC.

Balbardie failed to progress but did put up a valiant fight before the Division 1 side gave 80-74 best to Premier League side Blantyre at Cumbernauld.

Sunday is vital for West Lothian's survival as a Premier League club, with the team from the Inveralmond stadium required to be at their sparkling best in their efforts to outshine Coatbridge in their relegation playoff battle at Stirling IBC.

West Lothian have named the following team,

Rink 1. Richard Mark, Raymond Logan, Calum Logan and Neil Speirs.

Rink 2. Bryan Cooper, Scott Logan, James Speirs and Thomas Mann.

Rink 3. Ewan Wilson, Des Hagart, Paul Lynas and George Sneddon.

Rink 4. Cameron Greer, Ian Drysdale, Stuart Johnston and Mark Allison.

Stuart Johnston captains the side, while Stewart McMaster and David Wilson are the named reserves.