Prestonfield pip Duddingston to land SE Edinburgh Winter title

The hosts needed only to draw the match to retain top spot but ended up being pipped at the post as Prestonfield won 2.5-0.5.

Former Walker Cup player Gavin Dear teamed up with Duncan Johnston to finish all square against Stuart Knox and John Shepherd in the top match.

And, at the other end of the order, Jamie Binning, another useful recent recruit to the Prestonfield ranks, and Kevin Wood were 3&2 winners over Marc Blore and Gordon Milligan.

That meant it was all down to the middle match, which saw Prestonfield pair Scott Johnston and JJ O’Neill get their noses in front for the first time at the 16th.

Neil Aitken, who was playing with Mike Scoular, then holed a par-saving putt at the long 17th to keep Duddingston alive only for a solid par at the last to see Prestonfield prevail.

The new champions ended up on ten points, one ahead of Duddingston, with Craigmillar Park third then Liberton in last spot.

There was also a dramatic finish in the junior event as Liberton leapfrogged Craigmillar Park at the death to claim the title.

That was courtesy of a 2.5-0.5 win over the leaders, with Fraser Martin, David Halliday, David Butler, Spencer Roberts, Jack Symington and Tommy McCallum the Liberton heroes.

They won on ‘goal’ difference as both teams finished on five points, three more than Prestonfield, the only other team currently contesting the junior title.

The final event of the season, the Team Aggregate and Individual Championships, is at Craigmillar Park on March 12.