SCOTTISH WOMAN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire's Championship hopes end but Foster keeps Clark Rosebowl challenge alive

Ayrshire’s four qualifiers for the Matchplay stages of the Scottish Woman’s Amateur Championship lost out in their title bid during Thursday’s first and second round action.

Local youngster Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) took Rachel Walker (Dumfries & County) to the 20^th hole in their first round match before losing out.

Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie) ended the hopes of Ayrshire ladies’ county champion Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) in their first round tie, winning the encounter by 4 & 3.

The other two Ayrshire qualifiers clashed in the first round, with Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) beating Lorna Ronnie (Kilmanrock Barassie), who was hampered by a lower back injury, by 6 & 5.

In the afternoon second round matches, Connie Jaffrey faced Ailsa Summers for a place in the quarter finals, but despite being ahead midway through the match, Jaffrey eventually lost out by 2 & 1.

The quarter final and semi final matches are scheduled to be completed on Friday.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) v Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw)

Susan Wood (Drumpellier) v Tara Mactaggart (Minto)

Joanne Free (Gullane) v Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey)

Gillian Paton (Royal Montrose) v Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies)

Rachel Foster

Ayrshire interest remains in the competition for the Clark Rosebowl, with young Rachel Foster (Turnberry) keeping local interest alive into the semi finals.

In the first round on Thursday morning, Foster beat 2010 Scottish Girls Champion, and former girls internationalist, Lesley Atkins (Minto) by 2 & 1 and booked her place in the semi finals with a 2 & 1 win over Hannah Scott (Broomieknowe) in the quarter finals on Thursday afternoon.

Ayrshire’s other representative in the Clark Rosebowl competiton was Catherine Garrett (West Kilbride) who lost in the first round by 3 & 2 to Margo Gardner (Linlithgow).

The semi finals and final are scheduled to be played on Friday.

CLARK ROSEBOWL SEMI-FINALS

Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) Vs. Rachel Foster (Turnberry)

Wendy Nicholson (Baberton) Vs. Ruth Hunter (Lanark)