Defending champions Royal deliver a record

Published on Monday 20 July 2009 11:51

HAVING set a new points record in the qualifying stage, Royal Burgess look to be in a mean mood for the next phase of this season's Edinburgh Summer League.

The Barnton boys finished Division 4 with 18 points from their ten games, eclipsing Duddingston's effort when they amassed 17 points a few years ago.

"We are delighted to have won our section and to have set a new Summer League record in the process," said team manager Richard Hughes.

Looking ahead to a home tie against Glencorse in the last eight, he added: "Availability becomes a problem at this time of year but we hope to have a deep enough squad to put up a stern defence of our title."

In their final match, Royal Burgess won 6-2 at home against Turnhouse with Stephen Buckley, James Ross, John Yuille, John Fraser, Ian Taylor and Fraser McCluskey delivering the points for the home side. Steven Armstrong and Tim Poyser replied for Turnhouse.

Dalmahoy secured the remaining spot in the quarter-finals, though the match against Musselburgh was closer than a 5.5-2.5 scoreline would suggest.

Dougie Hunter drew first blood for the Marriott men, covering the holes he played in three-under, before Brian Henderson, who came back in two-under, levelled the scores with a hard-fought victory over Robert Carson.

Tom Blennerhasset produced a solid display to win his match while David Marshall also delivered a point for Dalmahoy thanks to his best performance of the season against Ian Fyfe.

After starting with two birdies, he then parred through to seven before going 3-3 to be out in 31 and four up. A bogey at the 11th was his only dropped shot and he went five up with a birdie two holes later.

Shock of the night was delivered by Cameron Marr, the Musselburgh junior champion seeing off Kevin Messer with a solid finish, but wins from Graeme McCann and Iain Campbell saw Dalmahoy over the finishing line, with Hamish McAndrew and Paul Burton sharing the spoils in their match.

"We are really pleased to have won what was a really tough section, especially when we were unable to field our strongest team for the last three games," said Dalmahoy team captain Marshall.

"The quarter-final draw obviously favours the home teams and we have not dropped any points at Dalmahoy all season despite the fact we've had some of the best teams in the competition in our group."

Dalmahoy face Torphin Hill and their team captain, Stevie Bickmore, said: "They will start as strong favourites but having witnessed at close quarters the never-say-die attitude of our team members, if they perform to the best of their abilities, then who knows what may happen?

"I have brought in a few new young faces this year and, along with the more experienced 'old heads', we have a squad of players that have done Torphin Hill proud."

Swanston, who lost at Silverknowes after they had qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time 12 months ago, will have home advantage this time around against West Linton.

"There is a real positive vibe surrounding the team just now," said Swanston team spokesman Craig Stewart.

"I think most people will look at us qualifying the last two years and put that down to the recent changes at Swanston and the increase in members.

"But, to be honest, our squad is pretty similar to what it has been in years gone by. I would give the credit to our guys that have been team players for four or five years. We have also improved away from home."

In the remaining quarter-final, Bruntsfield will be at home to Kingsknowe, meaning Bill Buchan's boys face a tough task in their bid to regain the title.