Gallagher fights back in Riversdale Cup with best round

Published on Monday 10 March 2008 09:36

CAPITAL golfer John Gallagher posted his best round of the event in the Riversdale Cup yesterday but the Swanston ace was still well off the pace heading into today's final round in Australia.

The reigning Scottish Amateur champion, who opened with a pair of 74s, fired a two-under 70 in round three to move on to a two-over aggregate of 218 behind leader, Scott Arnold, who fired a 68 for 202. Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll, the man Gallagher beat to lift the national title at Prestwick last season, came surging up to eighth spot with a six-under 66 for a seven-under 209.

Cardross' Scott Henry, the former Scottish strokeplay champion, posted a 67 for a 212 and a share of 18th while last year's SGU No.1, Callum Macaulay, fired a 70 for 213.

&#149 SCOTLAND'S young golfers claimed a second Boys' Quadrangular title in three years yesterday despite losing their final match at St Cyprien in southern France.

The Scots, who had racked up impressive wins over Italy and the host nation in their previous games, went down 5-3 to defending champions Sweden but clinched the crown in a tie-breaker.

Scotland, France and the Swedes all finished with two wins each but, based on the number of games won over the three days, it was Barrie Douglas' side who topped the standings by a mere half-point.

The Scots trailed Sweden 2-1 after the morning foursomes and, despite wins for Andrew McLachlan and Sam McLaren in the singles, defeats for Michael Stewart, Paul Shields and David Law made sure the tartan troops would endure an anxious end to the campaign.

In the day's other match, France overpowered four-time winners Italy 7-2.