Bowls: Portobello look for a magic carpet ride

THE ladies of Portobello IBC are due to step up their Scottish Cup bowls campaign with a visit to the Meadowmill Stadium in East Lothian this afternoon with East Fife providing what is sure to be challenging second-round opposition.

By STEWART MEIKLE

Published 2nd Mar 2013, 12:01 BST

It’s an intriguing clash as East Fife arrive as a club of Premier League status but destined to drop down to Division 1 next season while Portobello take to the carpet as a Division 1 club but shortly having a playoff chance to be elevated to the Premier League. Cup wins over Balbardie then West Lothian have boosted the morale of the Portobello camp ahead of today’s head to head.

Edinburgh have a double interest in the Cup with Bainfield on a high after eliminating Teviotdale and East Lothian and they play Abbeyview at Livingston.

Meanwhile, a big mid-week battle in the second round of the Seniors Scottish Cup featured Portobello against Midlothian at neutral venue Livingston and a nail-biting climax saw the Dalkeith-based team edge a 59-57 thriller.

East Lothian made a shock 71-58 exit to Falkirk at Portobello.