Golf: Talented Bruntsfield Links squad urged to celebrate 250th birthday with Summer League title

"In our 250th year, we have the Lothians champion in Alan Anderson and our juniors have won the Inter-Club, so success in the Summer League really would be a special achievement," he said. Cropper certainly has the talent at his disposal and the Bruntsfield boys showed character to reach the knockout phase.

They needed a win at Lothianburn in their final group game and got it despite the fact their opponents had been unbeaten on home turf this season.

"We now have a strength in depth through the squad that has been lacking in past few years," added Cropper.

"Even with five missing for the next round, we are still able to put out a side with a cumulative scratch handicap."

That strength was acknowledged by Royal Burgess team manager Richard Hughes, whose side have lifted the title for the last three years.

"I think we have the hardest task of the four home sides in the quarter-finals," he said. "Bruntsfield have an outstanding side and, in truth, have probably under performed over the last few seasons.

"John Cropper is now getting consistency from them and they will be very difficult to beat. I suppose that we are perceived as favourites because we are at home and we have been champions for the last three years. But not one of my players will go into this game thinking anything other than our very best is required to progress."

The remaining spot in the quarter-finals will be decided tomorrow when Murrayfield entertain Swanston New.

Murrayfield kept their hopes alive thanks to a great 4-4 draw at Ratho Park, who dropped out of the reckoning in the process.

Swanston New, who are two points ahead and also have a superior "goal" difference, are still in the driving seat. But Stephen Stuart is sure to have his Murrayfield players fired up as they bid to rubber-stamp their recent progress by making it to the knockout phase.

"It was like being at Easter Road in the 70s," joked Stuart of the draw at Ratho Park. "It was a fantastic result in a match played in good spirit."

John Thomson secured the half point for Ratho and halved match when he holed from 20 feet on the last. Broomieknowe's hopes were also killed off when they lost at Dalmahoy, who overcame the absence of Robert Carson and Steve Smith - both playing in the Scottish Amateur - to make it nine wins from ten in the qualifying campaign.

"I'm delighted for the guys to get through the qualifying stage only dropping a point away from home," said Iain Campbell.