Golf: Die-hard Dunbar storm ramparts at Tantallon

NINE-TIMES champions Dunbar, who have struggled in this season's East Lothian Winter League and found themselves deep in the relegation mire at the turn of the year, took a giant step towards survival with an emphatic victory at Tantallon.

The 4- win came hot on the heels of a similar margin the previous week and, having also earned a draw against leaders Longniddry in late January, Grant Milne's team are now the only Division 1 side unbeaten in 2010.

Indeed, if momentum is the key to success, they will be eagerly awaiting the coming weekend in which the snow enforced fixture backlog sees them hosting Haddington on Saturday, before travelling to face Royal Musselburgh on Sunday.

This week's margin of victory was an added boost to a team whose survival in the top flight may yet depend on a healthy goal difference but, with three matches going the distance, Tantallon will be disappointed not to have taken more from the contest.

Along the coast Craigielaw couldn't hold off the challenge from Royal Musselburgh, eventually going down 4-1. And, with fixtures still to come against leaders Longniddry and Dunbar, the defending champions are now staring relegation in the face. With most of their team occupied by skipper Chris Wood's pre-nuptial celebrations, leaders Longniddry postponed their trip to nearest challengers Gullane.

To name either side as champions may still be premature, but the outcome of this match, now scheduled for Sunday coming, is sure to have a huge bearing on the title race and whichever team emerges victorious, they will know the trophy that has eluded them for more than two decades is in their own hands.

In Division 2 there was no quarter given in the title race with both Glen and Whitekirk recording away wins. However, neither managed the task without a struggle. The leaders survived their trip into the hills, escaping from Gifford with both points, despite four out of five ties going to the final green.

Meanwhile Andy Ovens' Whitekirk side rose to the challenge, coming from behind to steal a win against Musselburgh Old, and in so doing became the first side this term to take anything away from a trip to the racecourse. With two matches remaining, Glen remain in pole position, but can't afford any slip ups if they are to secure the title and the single guaranteed promotion spot.