Published: Thursday, 11th October, 2007 9:00am

It's Viva Espana for Craigielaw

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CRAIGIELAW GOLF CLUB"S junior stars retained their Scottish crown with a sensational win at the Carrick club on Loch Lomond at the weekend and will once again represent the country in the Home Nations final at the famous La Manga resort in Spain next year.

The talented young Craigielaw side carded a total of 370 to win the title for the second successive year, five shots ahead of Glasgow"s Eastwood Golf Club who were at the top of the leaderboard until the East Lothian club took the field.

Eastwood had posted an early total of 375, averaging 75 strokes per player, and looked certain winners as they led the field by 19 shots.

That was until the Craigielaw players came to the closing holes and Myles Cunningham, playing off a handicap of one, posted the equal best scratch score of the tournament with a 74.

Jane Turner, who plays off plus one, returned a tremendous gross score of 75. Captain Shaun Deegan (3) scored a net 81, but his score was discarded when the three youngsters in Craigielaw"s team, all aged 14 or under, came to the fore.

Grant Forrest (6) scored a net 75, Scott Speakman (9) pitched in with a net 77, and Greg Smail (7) carded the best net score of the day with a 70 to hand the Aberlady club victory with an average of 74 for each player.

The win now ensures Craigielaw"s place in the Home Nations final at La Manga for the second year in a row against England, Wales and Northern Ireland on January 6-11 next year.

Deegan, Forrest, Speakman and Smail were all part of the side that won the title and finished third in the La Manga event last year and their experience could prove crucial next year.

Craigielaw club manager Derek Scott was delighted for the boys and hopes they can go one better this year by winning in Spain.

He said: 'We were a bit surprised by the win as a couple of the older players from last year had moved up and we were only hoping to finish in the top three.

'But it was a great win, especially for young boys at the back who did us proud and to get to where we are just now is simply amazing. It"s a great achievement.'

Gullane Golf Club also qualified for the event after winning the East Lothian Junior League, but were disappointed to finish in joint-sixth position, despite solid rounds from Duncan Melville, Mark Dickson and David McCall.

The format for the event was 18 holes strokeplay with one scratch score to count, and the best four out of five net scores.

East Lothian Junior Golf League secretary, David Warren, added: 'Craigielaw are clearly enjoying the fruits of their considerable commitment to junior golf, and the hard work of their convenor Gordon Smith and Derek Scott are considerable factors in this win.'