Golf: Foreign fields proving to be difficult

CRAIGIELAW duo Grant Forrest and Jane Turner produced the best performances among the Lothians players in action for Scotland on the opening day of the European Team Championships.

Forrest fired a 72 at Prague City in the Czech Republic as the Scots found themselves lying eighth at the halfway stage in the qualifying for the boys' event.

It was a disappointing start for Liberton's Anthony Blaney as his 82 was the non-counter.

In Austria, it was also a tale of mixed fortunes for the two Lothians players on duty for the women in their event at Murhof. Turner had a 73, the same as Megan Briggs and one more than leading Scot Pamela Pretswell, but Mortonhall's Rachael Watton signed for a seven-over-par 79.

That still counted due to Scottish champion Louise Kenney not being able to play on the opening day. Lying 15th, the Scots now face an uphill battle to qualify in the leading eight for the top flight match-play.

The men, captained by Kingsknowe's Scott Knowles, are lying 12th in their event at Vilamoura Victoria on Portugal's Algarve.

Karen Marshall's girls lie 16th at Is Molas in Sardinia, where North Berwick's Clara Young opened with an 82.