Golf: Forrest & Co pipped at last

CRAIGIELAW'S Grant Forrest was left disappointed in France at the weekend as Scotland's golfers were pipped to the Boys' Quadrangular title at the Chiberta club, writes NICK RODGER.

Stuart Wilson's side, who had beaten France and defending champions Sweden in their opening two games, went down 5-4 to the Italians, who stole the crown in the head-to-head tie-breaker.

Trailing 2-1 after the morning foursomes, the Scots levelled the scores in the top singles clash as national boys' strokeplay champion Jack McDonald eased past Riccardo Michelini by 4 and 3.

Ian Redford, the former Scottish under-16 champion, pitched in with a 3 and 1 win over Gabrielle Padouano but Lothians youngster Forrest, two up with three to play against Frederico Zucchetti, was pegged back and had to settle for a half point as the contest remained in the balance.

In the end, it came down to the final tie on the course and Italy took the title when Lorenzo Guanti edged out Calum Stewart by one hole to deny the Scots a third Quadrangular crown in five years.

"The boys were utterly dejected after coming so close," said national junior coach Spencer Henderson.