Ruth and Moira to Contest East Vets Final

The two semi-finals were played at different times of day and in somewhat different weather conditions. Ruth Brown and Sue Penman played earlier and found it more than a little wet underfoot, whereas Moira Thomson and Karen Ballantyne may have had our sympathies as the rain stotted off Edinburgh pavements but it was apparently completely dry, down in Haddington.

In the first semi, Moira proved too strong for Karen whom she beat at the 13th hole. Moira described her own game as "steady" - but no doubt her opposite number felt she was fairly unstoppable. It was very unfortunate for Karen, that her only birdie at the third hole - a short par four - was matched by Moira, who clearly continued the form which she showed in the first round.

The entire game was completed with no rain although the minute it was finished, the heavens opened.

In the other half of the draw, Ruth beat Sue by 3 and 2. Sue again started well and was two up on Ruth after seven holes, but Ruth stopped the rot with a lovely 2 at the short eighth hole, always acceptable with its slopey green from back to front. She then won the 9th to halve the match. The tenth was halved but at the long 11th, Sue's ball unfortunately went into the left-hand bunker which was practically full of water. There was only the smallest area left on which to take relief as she was naturally unwilling to take the penalty and drop it outwith the bunker. Ruth went one up at this point but relinquished her lead when her ball skidded to an untimely halt in a puddle on the 12th, stopping short of the green. The bumpy 13th caused Sue to three-putt and she went one down again, lost the short 14th to yet another 2 by Ruth, always a good putter, and then also the 15th although this was a somewhat ignominious hole for both. Ruth closed the deal with a good four at the 16th, the same hole as her victory in the first round.

Now Moira and Ruth will fight out the final. It promises to be an exciting game.

Results:
Karen Ballantyne lost to Moira Thomson 6 and 5
Sue Penman lost to Ruth Brown 3 and 2