Michael Stewart leads way with brilliant 66

A marvellous round of six-under-par 66 - ten shots better than his Tuesday effort - by Scottish champion and Walker Cup team contender Michael Stewart spearheaded a fine team effort by the Scots over the Vilamoura Victoria course on Portugal's Algarve.

Michael, who had an eagle and six birdies, was backed up by three other sub-par performances by James Byrne (69), Ross Kellett (70) and David Law (71).

Greg Paterson, who had a non-counting 77 in the first qualifying round, improved to a counting 73.

Ironically, the Scots' non-counting round was a 77 by Kris Nicol, who did his bit with a 68 on Tuesday. Scotland improved their daily team total from 359 to 349 and easily made the championship flight in sixth place with 12-under-par 708. Spain were top qualifiers with 696 (24 under par).

Scotland's women finished in 13th place on 746 in the European women's team championship at Murhof, Austria.

Again all five Scotland scores had to count and they were: Pamela Pretswell 70, Jane Turner 71, Kelsey MacDonald 71, Megan Briggs 77, Rachael Watton 81.

Scotland's team total of 370 was an improvement of six shots on Tuesday but their total of 746 was well outside the championship flight maximum of 733 by eighth qualifiers France.

Scotland's boys failed narrowly in their championship at Prague in the Czech Republic.

Their individual scores were: Grant Forrest 70, Greg Marchank 70, Eamon Breadley 72, Ewan Scott 73, Anthony Blaney 74, Jack McDonald 78.

Their team total of 723 put them in joint ninth position, just one shot more than Ireland and France in seventh and eighth.

Scotland's girls finished 14th in their championship at Is Molas, Sardinia.

Their second-round individual scores were: Eilidh Briggs 76, Alyson McKechin 76, Clara Young 78, Hannah McCook 79, Lauren Whyte 80, Ailsa Summers 82.