SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Ayrshire pipped by North east in semi finals

(From the Scottishgolf website)

Defending champions Renfrewshire will face leading qualifiers North East in the final of the Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship at Kinross on Sunday afternoon.

Renfrewshire, who have the same six-man side who defeated Dumbartonshire 4 – 1 in last year’s final, came out on top in a hard fought 3.5 – 1.5 victory over Lothians, while a strong North East team overcame 2008 champions Ayrshire with an excellent 3 - 2 win.

Former Scotland international Bryan Innes and partner Anthony Bews got the North East off to a flying start with a 2&1 win over Ayrshire’s Scott Brown and Steven Murray, while Philip McLean increased the North East’s lead with a 2&1 victory over Scotland team-mate Steven McEwan.

Ayrshire’s John Shanks took the notable scalp of Kris Nicol with a 2-hole win, the highlight of which was a magnificent 25-foot birdie putt for a two at the 17th.

The win gave Ayrshire a fighting chance and with Scottish Boys Stroke Play champion Jack McDonald securing a fine 3&2 win over Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur champion David Law, the scores were level at 2 – 2. However, Scott Larkin staved off a storming fight back from Ewan Brown, having been five up through nine, to win 2&1 to put North East into the final.

Kilmalcolm’s Matthew Clark led the way for Renfrewshire coasting to a fine 6&4 win over Allyn Dick in the battle of the former Mid-Amateur champions but the Lothians duo of David Miller and Mark Timmins levelled with their 2&1 foursomes victory over Bryan Adam and Gordon Stevenson.

The experienced duo of Ronnie Clark and Andrew Farmer gave their Murdo Carmichael’s side the required points with wins over Steven Armstrong and Scottish Boys Champion Grant Forrest, while Craig Watson and Mark Hillson shared the spoils to settle for a half point each.
The final tees-off at 2.30pm with one foursome match followed by four singles encounters to determine the destination of the 2010 Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship title.

Ayrshire will play off with Lothinas on Sunday afternoon for the bronze medals.


MORNING SEMI FINAL

North east Vs. Ayrshire

Bryan Innes & Anthony Bews beat Scott Brown & Steven Murray by 2 & 1
Philip McLean beat Steven McEwan by 2 & 1
Kris Nicol lost to John Shanks by 2 holes
Scott Larkin beat Ewan Brown by 2 & 1
David Law lost to Jack McDonald by 3 & 2

NORTH EAST 3 AYRSHIRE 2