Golf: Kingsknowe back on top after season's 'best display'

Bruntsfield had built up a head of steam going into the crunch clash in Group 2 but Bill Buchan's men notched an important win, although it was a lot closer than a scoreline of 6-1 suggests.

In the top game, Lothians champion Allyn Dick grabbed an early lead and built on it hole by hole, beating Mark Kernaghan by 6 and 5.

Steve McCulloch then threatened to do the same as he carved out a three-hole lead after seven, but was pulled in by a wave of birdies from Kevin Cattanach and found himself dormie one down.

However, Cattanach unluckily hit his second out of bounds at the last and a half point was secured.

Mike Foley continued his unruffled start to the season with another victory – his sixth in a row – as he beat John Liddel by 3 and 2.

Andy Rowe was involved in a ding-dong battle with his young opponent, Euan Paterson. Two down through seven, Rowe went through the gears and found himself dormie three up and managed to secure the victory on the 16th despite shanking his second on to the Lanark Road.

Gary Malone always had the upper hand in his game against Andrew Soulsby and eventually finished it at the 17th with an exquisite pitch to six inches for a winning birdie.

Davie Ewen was involved in a tight game all the way through against Ally Ritchie, who won 2 and 1. But that was the sole success of the night for the visitors.

Donny Munro, up early on then down, beat David Simpson in the penultimate match, before Graeme Fraser showed he was back to his barnstorming best with an excellent victory against Keith MacKenzie.

"It was our best performance of the season against a very good side," said Buchan. "Whilst the result seems emphatic, it was a very close game and the result was in the balance until late on."

In Group 1, Turnhouse were made to work for a 5-3 home win over Dalmahoy and it is going to be tight between those two as well as Mortonhall and Newbattle in the race to go through from that group with Glencorse, who look to be in a strong position at the top of the table.

Steven Armstrong set the home side on their way with a 5 and 4 success over Steve Smith, but Dougie Hunter hit back for Dalmahoy with a hard-fought win over Neil Anderson immediately behind.

Scott Young and Paul Pentland won the next two matches for Turnhouse, but victories by Stuart George and Robert Carson kept the result in the melting pot.

The two deciding matches were both close affairs, Tommy Cadger beating Tom Blennerhasset on the last green and Gordon Leitch overcoming Ian Campbell by 2 and 1.

Silverknowes maintained their impressive form in Section 3 with a 7-1 home success over Torphin Hill – a result that guarantees the Dispatch Trophy winners top spot.

"In a match played in glorious conditions we ran out comfy winners with some big wins," said Silverknowes spokesman Stevie Adamson.

"However, we will still be at full stength for our remaining two away games to try and stay unbeaten in the section. I know it's very tight behind us for second place so it's only fair that we give the last two games 100 per cent."

Royal Burgess, who are already through to the quarter-finals, were due to play Swanston New at home on Friday, but the visitors suffered five late call-offs and were unable to find replacements.

"In these circumstances I think the team unable to field a side concedes an 8-0," said Royal Burgess team manager Richard Hughes. "However, we await confirmation from the Summer League."