Golf: East win puts Fife in the driving seat

A 6.5-3.5 win over Mid at Swanston New maintained Fife’s  unbeaten record and they now top the table by three points after nearest challengers West lost to East at Kilspindie.

In a tight affair at the Aberlady course, six of the ten matches, including the top five, were decided on the last green.

Crucially, East prevailed in five of them and ran out 7-3 winners to put their first points on the board this season.

The home side’s winners included newly-crowned Lothians Order of Merit champion Benn McLeod, who squeezed home against 2011 Edward Trophy winner Graham Robertson.

Ross Noon was another 18th-hole winner for East, as was Keith Nicholson, who came out on top by one hole against  Steven Armstrong.

Six the ten games went the full distance, including the top one, which saw Kingsknowe’s Graeme Fraser turned round a one-hole deficit after 12 holes to defeat Scott Stewart-Cation 3 and 2.

Fife almost did likewise in coming from behind in match seven between boys Daniel Eardley and Andrew Davidson. Liberton lad Eardley had the chance to be four up after 12 but three-putted then watched Davidson win three holes in a row to be all square on the 18th tee. A good up and down from the front of the final green, though, gave the victory to Eardley.

Prestonfield’s Aaron McHardy levelled on the 18th tee then four-putted to lose the game to Ryan Walsh.

Fife can clinch the title if they avoid losing to West at Deer Park on December 23, when East are due to entertain Mid at The Glen in the other match.