Golf: Midlothian remain on track

MIDLOTHIAN pulled off a great escape to stay on course for a successful title defence in the East Women’s Inter-County event at Turnhouse.

They suffered a 3-0 whitewash against Fife in the foursomes on the second day of the four-cornered event but fought back in the singles to record a remarkable 5…-3… victory.

Craigielaw’s Jane Turner sparked the fightback with a magical putting display in her match against Susan Jackson.

The Scottish Championship runner-up only had 17 putts in 14 holes as she stormed to a 5 and 4 victory. Rachael Watton, Karen Marshall, Wendy Nicholson and Louise Fraser also won for the hosts while Hannah Scott recovered from two down to halve her match.

It meant Fife, who only needed two points from the afternoon session, lost out in the clash between the two first-day winners. Mid headed into the final day in pole position but knew they’d been in for a tough test against old foes East Lothian. After losing to Fife on the opening day, East bounced back to beat Stirling & Clackmannan 5.5-3.5, with singles successes from Clara Young, Lesley Nicholson and Lesley Atkins.

Results

Stirling & Clackmannan 3.5, East Lothian 5.5

Foursomes: L MacGregor and A Goodwin lost to L Nicholson and C Young one hole; L Allan and E Allison bt M L Renton and L Atkins two holes; C Cappoci and M Hall halved with S Penman and L Garden. Singles: MacGregor lost to Young 6 and 5; Hall lost to Nicholson 7 and 5; Allan lost to Atkins 4 and 2; Goodwin halved with Renton; Allison halved with J Herd; J Bryans bt Penman 2 and 1.

Midlothian 5.5, Fife 3.5:

Foursomes: R Watton and J Turner lost to S Jackson and F Hastie one hole; W Nicholson and K McIntosh lost to E Moffat and L Whyte 4 and 2; K Marshall and C Hargan lost to K Sharp and L McKinlay 3 and 2. Singles: Watton bt Hastie 2 and 1; H Scott halved with Whyte; Marshall bt L Bennett 3 and 2; W Nicholson bt Sharp 6 and 5; L Fraser bt Moffat 3 and 2.