Scots duo battle on in Spain

SCOTLAND'S Krystle Caithness and Catriona Matthew are leading the British challenge going into the third round, but look to have their work cut out to get into the title shake-up in the European Nations Cup in Spain.

The Scots shot a second successive three-under-par 69 in the Comunitat Valenciana-sponsored event at La Sella Resort in Dnia, Alicante, to lie in a tie for sixth place at the halfway stage.

On six-under, they are one ahead of Wales and two ahead of England, with Ireland propping up the leaderboard on three-over. However, Caitness and Matthew have nine shots to make up on Sweden after Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson propelled themselves into the lead with a sparkling second round of 62.

The Scots had five birdies on their card in a format that was a variation of Greensomes, but also had two bogeys, including a costly six at the long second.

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR COMUNITAT VALENCIANA EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP La Sella Golf Resort, Alicante, Spain (Ita unless stated, par 72) Leading scores: 129 A Nordqvist & S Gustafson (Swe) 67 62, 131 T Elosegui & E Cabrera Bello (Spa) 66 65, 134 I Tinning & L Holm Sorensen (Den) 68 66, K Webb & K Lunn (Aus) 69 65, G Sergas & V Zorzi 68 66, 136 G Nocera & J Schaeffer (Fra) 67 69. Others: 138 C Matthew & K Caithness (Sco) 69 69.