ABERDOUR MAN CRICHTON SPEARHEADS SCOTS IN WALES

Aberdour's Scott Crichton spearheaded the Scottish challenge in the Welsh men's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Prestatyn GC today with a two-under-par 70. That put him in joint third place alongside Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch), three behind leader Luke Jackson (Misterton) with a five-under 72. Conor O'Neil (Pollok) and Fraser McKenna (Balmore) were joint sixth on 71 with James Aitken (Alloa) tied 11th on 72 and Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) sharing 17th place on 73. Sam Binninng (Ranfurly Castle) and Scott Gibson (Southerness) were joint 26th on 74, a shot ahead of Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire) in a share of 33rd place. Scott Larkin (Royal Aberdeen) was in joint 44th place with a 76. Ross Bell (Downfield) and Scott Borrowman (Dollar) both had 77s. Greg Smail (Criagielaw) and Charlie MacNeal (Troon Welbeck) had 79s. Neil Henderson (Glen), James Hendrick (Pollok) and Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) were all on the 81 mark. Michael Bacigalupo (Craigielaw) had an 82. LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES Par 72 67 Luke Jackson (Misterton). 69 Craig Hinton (Oxfordshire) 70 Richard Bentham (St Pierre), Scott Crichton (Aberdour), Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch). REST OF SCOTS SCORES 71 Conor O'Neil (Pollok), Fraser McKenna (Balmore). 72 James Aitken (Alloa). 73 Brian Soutar (Leven GS), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon). 74 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle), Scott Gibson (Southerness). 75 Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire). 76 Scott Larkin (Royal Aberdeen). 77 Ross Bell (Downfield), Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 79 Charlie MacNeal (Troon Welbeck), Greg Smail (Craigielaw). 81 Neil Henderson (Glen), Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon), James Hendrick (Pollok). 82 Michael Bacigalupo (Craigielaw).