FIFE v PERTH AND KINROSS IN MONEYGATE SCOTTISH AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE

Defending champions Fife will take on hosts Perth and Kinross in the final of the Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship this afternoon after both sides enjoyed comfortable semi-final wins in the Blairgowrie sunshine this morning

Perth and Kinross, with four of their team benefiting from local knowledge of being a member of the Blairgowrie club, eased to a 3.5 – 1.5 win over Stirlingshire, while Fife maintained their hopes of back-to-back title wins by overcoming Renfrewshire 4.5 – 0.5.

It was Stirlingshire who seized the initiative in the opening semi-final, with Mark Cox partnering Hugh Nelson to a one hole foursomes win over Scott Michie and Scott Brass. However, Perth and Kinross stormed back with a fine 4 and 3 win for Glenn Campbell over University of Stirling student Graeme Robertson, before youngster Bradley Neil put them into the lead by defeating Ryan Campbell 3 and 2.
Stuart Graham booked his side’s place in their first final since 2007 with a 2 and 1 win over Fraser Moore, while the match between Mark Cameron and Chris Lawton was halved.

Fife were always in command against 4-times champions Renfrewshire, taking the opening foursomes match after Colin Martin and Alister Hain overcame Ronnie Clark and Andrew Farmer 2 and 1.

Last year’s SGU Order of Merit champion James White won a hard fought battle over Matt Clark 2 and 1, before Brian Soutar saw off the challenge from Gordon Stevenson 4 and 3.

Scott Crichton, who fired a best of the day 65 yesterday, clinched Fife’s final berth with an impressive 5 and 4 win over former Amateur Champion Craig Watson, while Scott Stewart-Cation shook hands for a half with Sam Binning.

The final tees off at 1330 with the 3rd and 4th place play-off at 1300.

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

PERTH AND KINROSS 3 1/2, STIRLINGSHIRE 1 1/2

Scott Michie and George Brass lost to Mark Cox and Hugh Nelson 1 hole.

Glenn Campbell bt Graeme Robertson 4 and 3.

Bradley Neil bt Ryan Campbell 3 and 2.

Stuart Graham bt Fraser Moore 2 and 1.

Mark Cameron halved with Chris Lawton.

FIFE 4 1/2, RENFREWSHIRE 1/2

Colin Martin and Alister Hain bt Ronnie Clark and Andrew Farmer 2 and 1.

James White bt Matt Clark 2 and 1.

Brian Soutar bt Gordon  Souter 4 and 3.

Scott Crichton bt Craig Watson 5 and 4.

Scott Stewart-Cation halved with Sam Binning.