Moira fails to win East Lothian Championship for Third Time

Moira Thomson (Gullane) came up against a serious force when she attempted to win the East Lothian Championship for the third time. Playing over Dunbar, Emma Fairnie's home course, Moira was unable to upset the younger player's very steady game. Moira started off strongly, having a great birdie at the first hole. This is never an easy birdie since the ditch in front of the green now prevents an obliging wind from helping the ball run on, as in years gone by. The second was halved and although Moira lost the short third to a par, she retaliated with yet another birdie at the fourth which had recently seen a lot of damage due to the storm of last month. She was now one up.

The fifth proved a problem for her and she conceded it - going all square. Getting the bit under her teeth, Emma went off at great licks, taking the 6th, 7th and 8th holes to go three up. They halved the long ninth but Moira lost the 10th to a par - possibly the most difficult par three on the course. Moira was now four down but undismayed, took the deceptive 11th hole with a lovely birdie to reduce the score to three down. This however was the end of her attack as Emma proceeded to win the 12th with a par, a very welcome four at any time, and then also the 13th. At this point Moira was dormie and a half at the long 14th was not enough to keep the game alive. For all the score was not in her favour, it was nevertheless a great fight.

Liz McLelland of Gullane won the Handicap Quaich by winning by 6 and 5 against Anne Sewell of Castle Park.

Results
First Round
Moira Thomson (Gullane) beat K. Playfair (Musselburgh) 6 and 4
Elinor Blair (North Berwick) beat Anne Marshall (Dunbar) 3 and 1
Clara Young (North Berwick) beat Barbara McIntosh(Gullane) 4 and 2
Jane Herd (Musselburgh) beat J. McNicoll (Longniddry) 1 hole
Emma Fairnie (Dunbar) beat Barbara Biggart(North Berwick) 7 and 6

Quarter-finals
Moira Thomson beat Elinor Blair 4 and 2
Jane Herd lost to Emma Fairnie 5 and 4

Semi-finals
Moira Thomson beat Keren Ward (The Glen) 2 holes
Emma Fairnie beat Clara Young 4 and 2

FinalEmma Fairnie beat Moira Thomson 5 and 4