Jane Turner, won twice for Midlothian on opening day at Baberton (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on it to enlarge).

Midlothian beat Galloway to make

winning start to County Finals

Title favourites Midlothian, champions of the East Division, made a winning start to their bid to regain the Scottish women's county team championship with home-field advantage at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh.

They beat South Division champions Galloway 8 1/2-1/2, making a 6-0 clean sweep of the singles after winning the morning foursomes 2 1/2-1/2

Double winners for Midlothian were Jane Turner, Rachael Watton and Kirsten Blackwood.

So, an impressive start by Midlothian who were able to give all eight players in their squad a game on the opening day. It's a tribute to their strength in depth that they could afford to play former international and county champion Claire Hargan and Wendy Nicholson only in the singles.

Northern Counties led West Division title-holders Renfrewshire 2-1 after their foursomes.
Results:

MIDLOTHIAN 8 1/2, GALLOWAY 1/2

Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2)
Jane Turner & Rachael Watton bt Gillian Monteith & Tracy Milligan 4 and 3.
Louise Fraser & Karen Marshall halved with Christina Meldrum & Sheila McMurtrie.
Claire MacDonald & Kirsten Blackwood bt Addi Shamash & Gwen Robson 7 and 5.
Singles (6-0)

Turner bt Monteith 4 and 3.

Claire Hargan bt Milligan 4 and 3.

Wendy Nicholson bt Meldrum 6 and 4.

Fraser by McMurtrie 1 hole.

Blackwood bt Shamash 3 and 2.

Watton bt Robson 3 and 2.

NORTHERN COUNTIES 2, RENFREWSHIRE 1

Foursomes
Kelsey MacDonald & Hannah McCook lost to Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs 2 and 1.
Cara Gruber & Pam Mackay bt Liz Stewart & Donna Jackson 4 and 2.
Mary Smith & Alison Bartlett bt Alyson McKechin & Gillian Kyle 4 and 2.