Golf: Liberton lose out in thriller

LIBERTON lost their opening match to English opponents West Sussex in the Junior Home Nations Team Championship at El Valle in Murcia.

In a thrilling encounter on the Nicklaus Golf Trail, the Capital club lost 3.5-2.5 after it all came down to the match involving Fraser Christie.

Anthony Blaney gave Liberton the perfect start as he beat Jack Heasman, the lowest handicap player in the field off plus two in the top match. Both were round in gross 73, but Blaney took the point with a net 72.

Ross Munro and Daniel Eardley were then beaten by Hugh Campbell and Bobby Keeble, but the Scottish side battled bravely in the lower half of the batting order.

Tom Brock's win over Mitchell Wellington at the bottom of the order made it 2-1 while Scott Finlay earned a half in his match against Chris Moore. But, in what turned out to be the decider, Christie was beaten by Sophie Madden, who beat her opponent by ten shots with a net 79.

Liberton's opponents today were Athenry and the Capital kids needed to win that one to revive their title hopes.

Blaney was again in the lead role for Liberton, this time up against a fellow one-handicapper in Sean Cannon.

On the European Tour, Lloyd Saltman had an early start in South Africa today as he returned to complete his second round in the Joburg Open.

The Aegon player was six-under for both his round and the tournament with two holes to play, but brother Elliot had already missed the cut.