SCHOOLS GOLF REPORT

MERCHISTON, LORETTO SHARE 

HONOURS AT CRAIGIELAW
 
MERCHISTON 2, LORETTO 2
Foursomes match at Craigielaw
Eight of the best golfers Merchiston has to offer made their way to an unusually still and unseasonably mild day at Craigielaw course to do battle with close rivals Loretto.  The stakes were high with both schools having worked hard to build up enviable golf academies and the tension was evident on the bus journey to East Lothian.  Upon arrival the boys spotted Scottish footballing legend John Collins and Celtic fan Ronan Dowds wasted no time in stopping for a quick chat!
The first pairing pairing for Merchiston were Scottish international Murray Naysmith and team captain Max Brueck who were up against a German international and another top German junior.  The Loretto pairing won three of the first five holes and they ran out winners by 2 and 1.
The second pairing were Borders boys Morgan White and Jimmy Roberts against Loretto's second pairing.  Morgan and Jimmy were on top form in this match - three under par - and won by 5 and 3.
Andrew White and Kayau Siu, Merchiston's No 3 pairing, had a close fought match with familiar opponents Cameron and JP. Consistent pars from the Loretto boys proved too much for Andrew and Kayau who lost by 2 and 1.
The final match was all important for the overall match score and, with Merchiston trailing 2-1, young Rory Thain and Ronan Dowds had a "must win" incentive.  Coach Alan Murdoch had said before the match that he wanted his strongest pairing to play as fourth pair and Ronan and Rory didn't disappoint.  They led the match nearly all the way, eventually winning by 3 and 2.