There was a distinct theme of bogeys being laid to rest as the new league season got underway on Sunday.  Royal Musselburgh recorded their first win at Longniddry in five years whilst Musselburgh’s win away to Tantallon was only their third success at the West Links in ten visits since joining the league. In the second division Dunbar recorded a first home win over Haddington in five attempts spanning seven years, and Craigielaw repelled a visit from Glen for the first time since their title winning 2008-9 season.

In that last match in particular home captain Gordon Smith seemed to pay heed to history and made sure he fielded his strongest line-up.  The skipper called on two stars of the amateur game to bolster an already solid looking side as 2014 Scottish Ladies Champion Gabrielle Macdonald teamed up with 2015 Walker Cup player Grant Forrest for a win in the anchor match that tipped the scales in favour of the home team.

Craigielaw will be back in action at Gifford this Sunday and looking to go top of the table, whilst Gullane, North Berwick, Haddington, Thorntree and Musselburgh Old start their campaigns a week later.