Drake struts his stuff to coast into final

Published on Wednesday 6 August 2008 10:36

PAUL DRAKE will play Graham Davidson in the final of the Forth Engineering Services Lothians Champion of Champions tomorrow (5.00pm) after both players emerged victorious from last night's semi-finals at Dalmahoy.

Pumpherston's Drake, runner-up in the event a year ago, set himself up for another crack at the prestigious title with a commanding 4 and 3 win over Mark Riddell of Baberton, while Winterfield man Davidson claimed a notable scalp as he edged out four-times champion Keith Nicholson of Haddington at the 19th.

Drake, last season's Lothians No.1, surged into a healthy early advantage. He reeled off five consecutive threes – two pars and three birdies – from the third to the seventh during a purposeful thrust which had him four-holes to the good heading towards the turn. Riddell, runner-up in the Baberton Club championship recently, gave himself some respite with an eagle three at the long ninth but the Capital player was always facing an uphill battle and Drake coasted into the final.

The second semi-final was a much tighter affair, although it was Nicholson who assumed command with an early burst which had him three up. But Davidson refused to surrender and slowly began to fight back.

By the 15th, the East Lothian ace was back to all square but Nicholson hit back on the 16th, inching ahead again and holding his advantage on to the 18th tee. However, Nicholson slipped to a damaging bogey-five, and Davidson holed out for par to force a sudden-death shoot-out which

The contest was decided on the first extra-hole with Nicholson conceding after finding difficulties with a bunker.

In the last-four of the handicap championship, Travel Twenty's Robert Thomson beat Eddie McRobbie of Glencorse 3 and 1, while Standard Life's Mike Sinclair beat Graham Gifford (Broomieknowe) 7 and 5.