Disciplines announced for Commonwealth Games

With just over two months to go until the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Bowls Scotland announces the disciplines the five men’s and five women’s bowlers will compete in.

Darren Burnett and Caroline Brown take the lead in the singles, whilst Paul Foster MBE and Alex Marshall MBE are primed to replicate their success of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Burnett will defend the title he claimed four years ago, whilst Foster and Marshall will also defend their pairs and fours golds from Glasgow.

Having won seven Commonwealth Games gold medals between them, Foster and Marshall are undoubtedly the world’s best pairing.

Commonwealth Games debutantes Ronnie Duncan and Derek Oliver join Burnett in the triples, and team up with Foster and Marshall in the fours.

Brown claimed the Scottish Indoor Ladies’ Championships singles title at the start of January, and is part of a women’s squad that mixes youth and experience.

Lesley Doig, who won silver at the World Outdoor Bowls Championships in New Zealand in 2016, makes her Games debut. She teams up in the pairs with Claire Johnston, who competes at the Games for the third time.

In the triples, Brown and Kay Moran – who won a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games – partner with another Games debutante, Stacey McDougall.

Doig, McDougall, Moran and Johnston make up the fours.

George Sneddon will combine team manager duties with coaching in place of Ricky Taylor, who is unable to travel to Australia due to work commitments.

Bowls Scotland’s head coach David Gourlay said: “We are delighted with the hard work and progress the squad has made and we are all looking forward to and ready for the Games in April.  I am particularly delighted with the team line-up which shows our strength and depth.”

TEAM SCOTLAND LAWN BOWLS LINE-UP

MEN’S

SINGLES               DARREN BURNETT

PAIRS                    PAUL FOSTER, ALEX MARSHALL (S)

TRIPLES                RONNIE DUNCAN, DEREK OLIVER, DARREN BURNETT (S)

FOURS                  RONNIE DUNCAN, DEREK OLIVER, PAUL FOSTER, ALEX MARSHALL (S)

WOMEN’S

SINGLES               CAROLINE BROWN  

PAIRS                    LESLEY DOIG, CLAIRE JOHNSTON (S)

TRIPLES                KAY MORAN, STACEY McDOUGALL, CAROLINE BROWN (S)

FOURS                  LESLEY DOIG, STACEY McDOUGALL, KAY MORAN, CLAIRE JOHNSTON (S)