Published: Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 5:00am

County kingpins bowled out in Belfast

The East Lothian trio of Alex Marshall, Alister Kennedy and Willie Wood were last weekend part of a Scotland team that were left disappointed at failing to retain the Home International Series title in Belfast.

Despite beating England and Wales a damaging opening game 137-102 defeat against host nation Ireland was to prove very costly and it was the host nation who went to take the title for the third time in five years.

The Scots went down on five of the six rinks, with only Garden County star Marshall getting a face saving draw. They bounced back to beat Wales 136-117, sharing three winning rinks apiece which included a success for the rink skipped by Wood.

The Scots rounded off the series with an impressive 130-109 win over auld enemy England but it was all in vain as at the same time Ireland beat Wales 109-96 to win the series.

Gifford"s Marshall and his rink, which included Kennedy at second, finished the series with a win, draw and a defeat while Wood only managed one win from three outings.

East Lothian is in Scottish Counties Championship quarter-final action on Sunday at Shettleston BC near Glasgow as they tackle West section winners Stirling County West (1pm).

The selectors have been forced into major changes ahead of the eagerly awaited last eight showdown as holiday commitments definitely rule out regulars Steven Morgan, Craig Valentine, Norrie Cochrane, Glen Blair and Brian Bird.

The selectors have addressed the situation by introducing Billy Thomson (EL-Coop) and Alan Young (Tranent) into the line-up while there are recalls for Stephen Cochrane and David Sked.

County icon Alex Marshall has recovered from his shoulder injury and declared himself fit and ready to make the trip West.

The full team reads: B.Thomson (ELCO), S.Johnston (Orm), Dav Oliver (C&PS), Dek Oliver (C&PS) skip; D.Sked (W/B), C.Fallen (ELCO), G.Thomson (E/L), S.Robertson (W/B) skip; K.McCrorie (Tra), B.Hunter (Aber), B.Dunleavey (Aber), J.Higgins (Tra) skip; J.Blair (Hadd), S.Cochrane (ELCO), S.A.Thomson (C/P), W.W.Wood (W/B) skip; M.Taylor (ELCO), J.Gordon (Tra), R.Black (E/L), A.Marshall (Giff) skip; I.Bell (Hadd), G.Murray (Orm) capt, A.Young (Tra), A.Kennedy (W/B) skip

Any player selected who for any reason cannot play is requested to contact the selectors immediately.

Bus pick-up times as follows:

West Barns 9.45am

East Linton 10am

Haddington 10.15am

Tranent 10.30am

Any supporters wishing to travel on the coach are asked to contact ELBA President Martin Wilson on 01620 894851 to check on availability of seats.

West Barns are the new front runners in the race for the Division 1 title in the Credit Issues Scotland Ltd East Lothian Leagues as they went four points clear of the chasing pack following a super 7-1 home win over struggling EL-Coop in last Friday night"s action.

Chief rivals Port Seton lost ground as they slumped to a 6-2 away defeat at fifth placed Tranent while Castlepark jumped from fourth to second following their 6-2 win at Haddington.

Foot-of-the-table Elphinstone gave themselves a relegation lifeline following their shock 5-3 away win at third-placed Aberlady.

In tonight"s (Friday) action Division 1 leaders West Barns visit foot of the table Elphinstone and welcome back the influential pairing of Willie Wood and Alister Kennedy back into their line-up.

Fireworks are expected when there is the small matter of the second "Belters" derby of the campaign when EL-Coop entertain rivals Tranent.

Port Seton will hope to bounce back to winning form when the play host to Haddington while second placed Castlepark can keep up the pressure on the leaders if they can make full use of home advantage against defending champions East Linton.

Meanwhile the bright lights of Ayr beckon for 18-year-old Dee Hoggan in late July with the skilful Tranent star booked for the Northfield arena later this month and the prestigious national championships stage.

Hoggan - a Scottish Under 19 internationalist - will spearhead the East Lothian challenge having played a blinder to beat Aberlady star Emma Burton in the junior singles final in front of a jam packed Polton BC (Bonnyrigg) venue last Sunday.

Port Seton captured the honours in the pairs with the deadly sister act duo of Leanne and Lauren Baillie booking their place at the showpiece event with an emphatic 21-8 win over the host club duo of Christine Curran and Margaret Porter.

It was a case of so far yet so near for the Castlepark rink of Isobel Connachan, Erica Thomson, Susan Thomson and Jean Russell after they lost out in the fours final to a strong Shottstown rink.