LESLEY NICHOLSON IN RAMPANT FORM AT MUSSELBURGH

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Haddington's Lesley Nicholson last year was captain of the Scotland side who won the Women's Home Internationals for the first time in 19 years. This season Lesley looks as though she is gunning for a place in the team to defend that title as she scored two crushing wins as the match-play stages of the East Lothian women's county golf championship teed off at Musselburgh Golf Club today (Monday). Nicholson, the No 1 seed, beat Jill Rankin (North Berwick) by 9 and 8, following that up with an 8 and 7 win over Barbara MacIntosh (Gullane) ... a combined 21 holes to reach the last four of the champonship. In the semi-finals, the former Ladies European Tour pro, who is now the county junior convener will play the up-and-coming Clara Young (North Berwick), the No 4 seed and top Scot in the recent SLGA Under-16 open girls' championship. The other tie will feature county captain Mary Lou Renton (Gifford) against East Lothian's new junior girls champion, Keren Ward (The Glen). Mary Lou, the No 11 qualifier, ousted the No 3 seed, Moira Thomson (Gullane) at the 19th while Keren, the No 10 qualifier, disposed of the No 7 seed Morag MacPherson (Dunbar) and the No 2 qualifier Liz Dunn Butler (Gullane). Today's match-play results FIRST ROUND Lesley Nicholson (Haddington) bt Jill Rankin (North Berwick) 8 and 7. Clara Young (North Berwick) bt Jane Herd (Musselburgh) 2 and 1. Mary Lou Renton (Gifford) bt Susan Penman (Gullane) 1 hole. Keren Ward (The Glen) bt Morag MacPherson (Dunbar) 1 hole. Liz Dunn Butler (Gullane) bt Barbara Biggart (Gullane) 7 and 6. QUARTER-FINALS Nicholson bt MacIntosh 8 and 7. Young bt Herd 2 and 1. Renton bt Thomson at 19th. Ward b Dunn Butler 4 and 3. HANDICAP QUAICH QUARTER-FINALS Jean McNeill (Longniddry) bt Janette Buchanan (Royal Musselburgh) 1 hole. Caroline Lawis (Whitekirk) bt Corrine Luca (Longniddry) 3 and 1. Pat Lockie (North Berwick) bt Lynn Moodie (Castle Park) 5 and 3. A Blundell (Musselburgh) bt Viv Skinner (Dunbar) 2 and 1. SEMI-FINALS Lawis bt McNeill 1 hole. Lockie bt Blundell 1 hole.