FORREST FIRE CLINCHES SCOTS TOP EIGHT PLACE

FORREST FIRE CLINCHES SCOTS PLACE

IN EURO MATCH-PLAY TOP FLIGHT

A superb round of  seven-under-par 65 by Grant Forrest clinched Scotland's place in the championship match-play flight at the European men's amateur team championship at Linna Golf Club, Finland.

The Craigielaw man (pictured), Scottish amateur champion two years ago, had eight birdies in the bag before he dropped his only shot at the 16th. Forrest, who reached the turn in only 30 strokes, had the third best individual aggregate of 135, two shots behind the leader, England's Ryan Evans (68-65).

Scoitland's total of 710 was the same as Germany whose better second round gave them the No 5 seed berth.

As sixth seeds, Scotland will first play Sweden (707), third qualifiers behind England (700) and Spain (703).

CHAMIPIONSHIP FLIGHT QUALIFIERS

Par 72

700 England, 703 Spain, 707 Sweden, 709 Ireland, 710 Germany, Scotland, 711 France, 715 Switzerland.

MATCH-PLAY DRAW

England v Switzerlad, Sweden v Scotland, Ireland v Germany, Spain v France.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Par 144 (2x72)

133 R Evans (Eng)v 68 65

134 C Long (Ger) 68 66

135 G Forrest (Sco) 70 65

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES

140 G Robertson 71 69 (T12)

142 B Neil 69 73 (T27)

146 J Savage 73 73 (T52)

147 J Ross 71 76 (T59)

152 J McDonald 76 76 (T89).