Ewan Shearer and Ian Drysdale share the responsibility of team selection and they have introduced new faces in the shape of Linlithgow's former Philpstoun star Scott Murphy and former junior footballer John Ellis of Harthill/Armadale.
They also ha
ve Murray Bell who, like Ellis, has switched allegiances from West Lothian to Balbardie.
The line up reads as follows:
Rink 1: Gary Orr, Davy Ross, Dis Drysdale and Graeme Byrne; Rink 2: Lawson Trotter, Scott Murphy, Murray Bell and Sandy McDougall; Rink 3: Andy Chapman, Andy Forrest, Colin Fraser and Ewan Shearer; Rink 4: David Lawrie, Jim Speirs, John Ellis and Gerry Duggan.
Jim McCallum looks too good for the reserve bench and may come off it quickly as David Lawrie has pulled out.
The Queensferry star is in competition with Mark Graham, Mark Bonar and Ian Drysdale as the replacement.
lWEST Lothian IBC open in the Premier League against newly promoted East Fife at the Inveralmond stadium and anything other than a home win would be a major shock.
Team selectors Denis Cavanagh and Watt Smillie have named a 16-strong side which includes two interesting decisions including the introduction of Ewan Wilson after showing good domestic form over recent seasons.
And they resolve an embarrassment of riches in the skip position by opting to place international star George Sneddon at third with Mark Allison, Graeme Archer, Thomas Mann and Neil Speirs given the opportunity to direct affairs.
Wilson's promotion to the bigger stage should act as encouragement to others in the Inveralmond system pushing for recognition at the highest level - although last season's pairs champion is no stranger to foreign carpets.
The opening line-up reads: Rink 1: Derek Mairs, James Speirs, Stuart Johnston and Mark Allison; Rink 2: Ewan Wilson, Des Hagart, George Sneddon and Graeme Archer; Rink 3: James Greenock, David Wilson, Calum Logan and Thomas Mann; Rink 4: Cameron Greer, Raymond Logan, Ricky Forrest and Neil Speirs.
Reserves: Ian Drysdale, David Brown, and Bryan Cooper.*
lA Home fixture for the WLIBC's gent's team means an away fixture for the ladies of the Inveramond stadium.
Although it's a short journey, it's a tough opener they face on their visit to Falkirk.
The team announced by the selection committee is packed with experience and competitive ability so is expected to give a good account of itself.
The line-up reads: Rink 1: Irene Taylor, Carole Clarkson, Jennifer Sneddon and Margaret Russell; Rink 2: Lisa Barrett, Isobel Lindsay, June Bell and Greta Scott; Rink 3: Jenny Richardson, Jean McPherson, Lily Sword and Ann Clark; Rink 4: Irene Wright, June Thorburn, Angela Uttley and Wendy Purdie.
The reserve bench is occupied by Catherine Howie and Helen Tully.
lTHE ladies of Balbardie IBC are used to making an impact on their qualifying section of the Scottish League Cup but their opening fixture is a testing one with a visit to Lanarkshire.
Their tried and tested line up reads: Rink 1 Morven Shearer, Catherine Shearer, Marion Halliday, Liz Boyle; Rink 2: Doreen Reeder, Ali Blagg, Margaret Scally, Margo Duff; Rink 3: Kim Ross, Catherine Lochran, Marian Coats, Sharon Leitch; Rink 4: Pat Purdie, Agnes Thomas, Sadie McKenzie, Lorraine Malloy. Margaret Taylor is the reserve.
lWEST Lothian seniors opened their season last week with a 95-49 win over Tweedbank, their reward for a strong performance at the Inveralmond stadium.
Wins on all four rinks were headed by Ronnie Martin who exploded into a 14-3 lead after eight ends then skipped Colin Russell, Stewart Orr and Charlie Sturrock to a 24-7 triumph over Derek McLean.
Peter Ball was also quickly on the scorecard and included a six at the seventh as he skipped Jim Golder, Martin Finnigan and Jim Craig into a 16-0 lead then onto a 23-9 success over Mel Blyth.
Bruce Townson lost a five at the sixth but compensated with a sizzling six at the 11th to go 18-12. He then skipped Ian Munro, Bill Gorrie and Ian Combe to a 25-16 win over Doug Orr.
John Murphy (Bo'ness) slipped from 7-0 up to 9-7 down but made a strong recovery to cross 15-10 then added 3,3,2 to skip Alastair Lindsay, Raymond McMahon and Ron Scott to a 23-17 win over Rob White.
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