East Division Inter County Matches Day 3

Euphoria reigned for Midlothian on day 3 at Falkirk. Having been brought back down to earth on Tuesday night the team arrived at Carmuirs Golf Club ready and willing to give their all in their final match. Their opponents, Stirling & Clackmannan, had let it be known that they were out to get us and to spoil our intended celebrations. What they hadn't realised was that Midlothian was not letting the situtation get ahead of them and were taking things one step at a time. And so, with each member of the team having been told to bring home a point from their own game and not to worry about anyone else or leave the "point-getting" to anyone else, they took to the course.

Leading the way, yet again, were Jane Turner and Rachael Watton, followed by Karen Marshall and Louise Fraser and, bringing up the rear, Kirsten Blackwood and Claire MacDonald. Having given the supporters' and officials' nerves a rest on Tuesday, they very kindly decided, in the muggy heat of the morning, to bring the worry lines back to the fore before winning at the 17th, 18th and 18th holes respectively.

Thankful of our 3-0 lunchtime lead, the order for the afternoon play was set and, once again, the players were told not to rely on any of their fellow team members to bring in the points. Whether they were, by this time, fed up with the first tee motivational chat or whether it just takes a while to sink in we are not sure, but for once in the week they listened and took off all guns blazing. A great afternoon was had by all on the navy side as scores resounded around the course of Midlothian being 2 up after 7, 4 up after 11, Murray having won in 3 straight sets, dormie 3 up etc etc. Jane brought home the first of the 2 points we needed, closely followed by Claire Hargan and then the rest followed with Wendy getting a half (because her opponent inconsiderately holed her third shot to the par 5 18th), and Karen, Rachael (who in her first Inter-County matches recorded an amazing 6 out of 6 points over the 3 days) and Claire MacD all winning. Victory cheers were heard all around and, thanks to Margaret Rodgers, the celebrations began!

The final day results were:

Morning Foursomes:

Jane Turner & Rachael Watton beat Vicki Stevenson & Lesley Gibb 2&1

Karen Marshall & Louise Fraser beat Louise MacGregor & Elaine Allison 2 up

Kirsten Blackwood & Claire MacDonald beat Linda Allan & Jill Harrison 2 up

Afternoon Singles:

Jane Turner beat Elaine Allison 3&2

Claire Hargan beat Louise MacGregor 2&1

Wendy Nicholson halved with Vicki Stevenson

Karen Marshall beat Claire Capocci 3&2

Rachael Watton beat Mhairi Hall 3&2

Claire MacDonald beat Linda Allan 1 up

Final Standings:

1st Midlothian

2nd Fife

3rd East Lothian

4th Stirling and Clackmannan

Remember to put the 18th-20th September in your diaries and keep it free so that you too can come to support the Midlothian girls as they aim to wind up the officials in the County Finals at Baberton! They are joined in this by Renfrewshire and Galloway and Northern Counties.