SENIOR TOP SEEDS KNOCKED OUT EARLY AT WEST KILBRIDE

Two of the top three seeds, No 2 Angus Lamond (Haggs Castle) and No 3 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm), were knocked out in the first round of the Scottish senior amateur men's match-play golf  championship at West Kilbride GC today (Wednesday) Ian Gillan (Bishopbriggs) beat Lamond 2 and 1 while former title-winner George Paterson (Northern) bt Smith by one hole. Best fightback of the day was performed by Bill Erksine (Kilsyth Lennox) who beat Alan Harrington (Western Gailes) at the 19th after being three down with four to play. Erskine won the 17th, playing as a par-5 into the wind,  with a 4, the 18th with a birdie 3 and the 19th with a birdie 3. Defending champion Ian Brotherston(Dumfries and Co) squeezed through at the 19th against Stephen Ellis (Innellan). Top seed John Fraser (Royal Burgess) had one of the easiest wins of the day, 6 and 5 over James Kinloch (Cardross). SCOTTISH SENIOR AMATEUR MEN'S MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP West Kilbride GC FIRST ROUND John Fraser (Royal Burgess) bt James Kinloch (Cardross) 6 and 5, Lindsay Gordon (Turnhouse0 bt Ian Randell (Silverknowes) 1 hole, Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) bt Graham McGee (Erskine) 2 and 1, Derek Murphy (Kinross) bt Tony Clark (Dumfries and Co) 4 and 2. David Gardner (Broomieknowe) bt Ian Angus (Duff House Royal 2 holes, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) bt George Blair (Haddington) 2 holes, Fraser McCluskey (Royal Burgess) bt Gordon Thomson (Bearsden) 2 and 1, Graham Cox (Pollok) bt John J Johnston (Lanark) 2 and 1. Ian Gillan (Bishopbriggs bt Angus Lamond (Haggs Castle) 2 and 1, Richard T Gray (Irvine) bt William Brown (Strathaven) 6 and 5, Keith Bruce (Edzell) bt George Rodaks (Pitreavie) at 19th, Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and Co) bt Stephen Ellis (Innellan) at 19th. George Paterson (Northern) bt Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 1 hole, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) bt James Johnston (Northuymberland) 5 and 4, David J Millar (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Sandy Fairweather (Carnoustie Caledonia) 2 holes, Bill Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) bt Alan Harrington (Western Gailes) at 19th.