Golf: Mathieson takes spoils in Alliance

DUNBAR trainee pro Terry Mathieson set an early target that proved unbeatable in yesterday's Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance event at Craigielaw.

On a course that had been closed earlier in the week due to water lying on it, the former North-East man signed for a superb 65 to claim the Tom Galloway Trophy.

A brace of 2s in the outward half saw him turn in 33 and three 3s to finish - birdie, par, eagle - gave him a 32 coming home and a six-under-par total.

He won by two shots from Kingsknowe pro Chris Morris, who stormed home in 31 to finish a couple of strokes ahead of both David Patrick (Elie GH) and West Lothian pro Alan Reid.

In a field of 97, the handicap honours were shared by Falkirk Tryst five-handicapper William Miller and Harrison's Justin White, who also shot a net 68 playing off four.

Eyemouth's Daniel Wood maintained his recent good form by claiming the top trainee prize with a 70, with the seniors' spoils on this occasion being shared between Duddingston's Jim Greenan and Cardrona's David McKean with 71s.

In the scratch order of merit Morris leads with 485, just five points ahead of Greenburn's Scott Catlin, with Mike Thomson (461.5), Andrew Marshall (444.5) and Stuart Callan (437.5) all still in the hunt. White is the new leader in the handicap standings with 114 points, just ahead of Stuart Brown (111). The next event is at Whitekirk on February 23.