Bowls: Liberton at full strength as they chase last-eight spot

A win over Prestonfield kept them on course and Clark Munro’s men will seal that last-eight spot if they can also make home advantage count against Lothianburn.

“Conditions were awful for the match against Prestonfield but the greens stood up remarkably well,” reported Munro. “It will be the first time in a decade or so if we qualify for the quarter-finals and we be back to full strength for 
the final group match with 
Anthony Blaney and Gary Scott both available.”

West Linton, who had already secured a home tie in the quarter-finals, lost at Swanston in their final group match.

“It was always going to be a tough one due to local knowledge being a factor at Swanston and we also had a weakened team,” said West Linton team manager Simon Mackenzie. Swanston are still in with a chance of progressing but Bruntsfield are favourites to go through with West Linton. It follows them winning at home to Broomieknowe, who made their hosts work for a much-needed two points.

Three matches finished all square, with Keith MacKenzie and Kevin Cattanach staging late fightbacks for Bruntsfield in two of them.

“We are now three points ahead of Swanston with both teams having two games left,” said Brunstfield team manager Douglas Livingston. “We will be looking to secure our place in the quarter-finals when we play the return game at Broomieknowe.”

Turnhouse are challenging Duddingston for second spot behind Royal Burgess – the defending champions need one point from two home games – in Section A after making home advantage count against Merchants. The win moved Turnhouse on to ten points, two behind Duddingston but with a game in hand.