RENFREWSHIRE has had taste of a sub-continental flavour this summer as it welcomes the Indian Lawns Bowls team into the community.

Clubs in Inchannan, Kilbarchan and Houston will play host to the international side as they prepare for next month’s Commonwealth Games, where they will battle against the giants of the the bowling world at Kelvingrove Park.

And for John Gilchrist, president of J.G Fleming Bowling Club in Houston, it is the coming together of weeks of planning after he was approached by the Bowling Federation of India late last month to assist in arranging several competitive matches prior to the commencement of the Games.

He said: “I was approached and asked to liaise with the officials of the sport in India due to my knowledge and contacts within the Renfrewshire area.

“Bowls is a relatively new sport in India and mostly played on artificial greens.

“As the Commonwealth Games bowls will be played on grass at the Kelvingrove greens it is very important that the young and inexperienced India team get to practice and play competitively on other grass bowling greens so that once they reach Kelvingrove and the Commonwealth Games start they will know what to expect.” The Indian team arrived in Scotland last week and played their first two matches last week, but still have Inchinnan Bowling Club to face.

With the Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow for the first time in its 84 year history, Gilchrist admitted he is excited about playing such a big role in the event — but joked that his ties could become entangled if Scotland were to come up against the Indians, adding: “Personally I feel very proud in helping a fledgling such as India in their preparation before they compete against the very best bowlers in the world who in the main come from Scotland, Australia and South Africa but I’m not sure how I will feel however if India happen to beat Scotland — I might have to flee the country.” A sense of patriotism has swept the clubs and despite extending a welcoming hand to their Indian counterparts, Gilchrist inisted all club members facing the visitors are out to represent both club and country in their bid for victory.

With Ralston, Kilbarchan and J. G Fleming already played host, it is only Inchinnan who are waiting in the wings to welcome the side. The club will provide the final test before the commencement of the bowls at the summer showpiece next month.

Gilchrist said: “The clubs, Ralston, Inchinnan and Kilbarchan plus my own club J.G Fleming in Houston, and their members are firstly very honoured to have been selected and given the opportunity to play the India team.

“Secondly the players selected to represent the Renfrewshire clubs are equally honoured and will be going all out to defeat their Indian opponents as they feel they will not only be representing their club but also representing their country.”