Golf: Glen pip Gullane to win East Winter League

A home win over Dunbar in their final match saw the North Berwick club, promoted from Division 2 last season, make it back-to-back successes as they finished a point ahead of defending champions Gullane. "When we started out this season, our main aim was to stay up," admitted team captain Innes Christie, who, along with Mike Currie, are the only players who were also in the title-winning side in 2001/02. "On paper we didn't have the best squad but a mixture of experience, of which we had a lot including 68-year-old Jimmy Jack, who played in every match, youth, of which we had Euan Bowden, a great team spirit and a growing belief that we could win it saw us through." The Glen had led the way for most of this season, but knew the job wasn't finished after a defeat away to Dunbar a fortnight earlier saw them just a point clear of both Gullane and Longniddry. And, with their challengers going head-to-head, Christie knew nothing less than a win would do. But, in an unexpected twist, the Glen gained an early advantage when one of the Dunbar players, unaware of the scheduled start time, failed to show and the visitors were forced to concede one tie. And, with the aforementioned Jack and Gary Reid racing to an early lead, the hosts wasted little time in adding a second point. Needing victory to have any chance of survival in the top flight, the visitors fought hard in the remaining three ties, but to no avail. George Thomson and Graeme McCann were not to be denied in the top match, and their 2 and 1 win over Scott Young and Danny Kay completed the task and ensured the trophy would be coming to the Glen for a second time. "There is no doubt that this was one of the most exciting Winter Leagues for a while and I would like to pay tribute to all the teams for their contribution to that," added a delighted Christie. Last season's winners Gullane claimed second place by defeating Longniddry in their final match. In the Second Division, Musselburgh were not troubled by visiting Winterfield, and the league's new boys secured promotion with their fifth win in as many weeks. But there was disappointment for Kilspindie, who went to Tantallon in search of a win that would see them promoted. In truth skipper Gordon Lynch knew that was a tall order against the league leaders, indeed no visiting side has returned from the West Links with a victory all season. And the home team put in a performance that ensured that record remained intact, with the top two ties secured quickly, before Fraser Thain and Eddie Danks completed the job with a 17th green win that brought the Second Division title to Tantallon Further down the table there were wins for Craigielaw, Gifford and Musselburgh Old.