Golf: Glen and North Berwick seek to turn up heat after freeze

AS the race to make up for lost time hopefully gets under way this weekend, the Glen and North Berwick are the teams setting the pace in the two title races in the East Lothian Winter Golf League.

Due to the weather, only four league matches have been played since November and the backlog has led to a new Cup competition being scrapped.

Before the snow and ice struck, Dunbar had got their season back on track with a home win over Gullane, whilst North Berwick made light work of a weakened visiting Winterfield side to consolidate their position at the top of Division 2.

Then, last weekend, Kilspindie moved into second spot in Division 2 as they brushed aside the challenge from visitors Castle Park.

Whitekirk, meanwhile, dented Craigielaw's promotion hopes as they emerged victorious from a tight tussle which saw four out of five ties go the distance.

This weekend, Haddington, due to be in action for the first time since mid-November, have a crunch home appointment with the Glen.

Neil Bain is now at the Haddington helm and his side narrowly missed out when they made the trip to the coast back in October.

The home skipper knows a win against the leaders could move his side clear of the relegation zone. The incentive for Innes Christie's Glen side is the chance to open up a four-point advantage at the top, a situation that would make them firm favourites to add to the solitary title they won back in 2002.

Bottom-placed Royal Musselburgh host Longniddry in a match which will leave the losing side facing a struggle to avoid the drop. In other matches, Tantallon travel to Gifford, new boys Musselburgh are at Thorntree and Musselburgh Old travel down the coast to Winterfield in search of their first points of the campaign.