The Fifth round of the 2022 Men’s Pennant season was played on Sunday with disappointing results for the two Nedlands Teams.

DIVISION TWO

Rockingham was the scene for the fifth round of fixtures and Nedlands were looking for a much needed win against MANDURAH, who were also looking for their second victory of the season. Relegation avoidance was front and foremost for both teams.

With the loss of Ben O’Callaghan (overseas) and Callum White (HS protocol) Tim Tan and Matt Dumble came into the team – and did not disappoint, both having hard fought single hole victories. Matt was 3 down after 9 holes and got the match back to even after 16. A win at the final hole saw him record a well-deserved victory.

Tim, on the other hand, was playing a well-seasoned and previously undefeated player on a course he had never seen before. Disaster struck when he was 2 up with 3 holes to play – he lost his rangefinder!!! But with true guts and determination he held on to win 1up. Two wins from two starts – well done.

Anthony Joseph was 3 down after 13 holes but kept fighting and won the last 3 holes to take the match – 1 up. Anthony has played well all season in the number 2 position with two wins and losing the other matches by slim margins.

Andrew Ogilvie, Aiden Cooper and David Rees continued their loss of form and will be looking forward to better days in the final two rounds.

Captain Ben Cullinan was unable to reproduce his best form and was never really in the match – finally losing 4/3. He has been a great number one player this year and has stepped up to the plate in 3 of his 5 matches.

Final result a 4-3 loss.

Refer scores and Pennant Table after Round 5 below.

The next two weeks are arguably the most important pennant matches the club has faced in its history. This coming Sunday it is simply essential to win as the final game is against Royal Perth at Royal Perth and that will be a difficult task to win.

The key to remaining in Division 2 is to win both matches but winning one will be sufficient if Melville Glades are beaten by their more highly fancied opponents, Rockingham and Hartfield.

Next week’s encounter against Lakelands is at Nedlands commencing at 7.30am.

The team is looking for member’s support so see if you are able to spend a couple of hours at the club next Sunday morning come down.

Roving reporter’s comment – After two victories hopefully Tim Tan will remain in the team for the last two games – one at home and one at his former home, Royal Perth. Callum White should be available. The selectors then have to work out the balance of the team for a must win game against Lakelands.

DIVISION FIVE

Sitting at the top of the table after round 3 and suffering a close loss in round 4, the team was looking to rebound against Lakelands and keep their finals chance well and truly alive. Nedlands travelled to The Vines for their match against Lakelands who were also looking to keep their finals chances alive.

Matt Dumble was elevated to the Division 2 team and was replaced by team captain Scott van Heurck. Usaf Qazi lost his place to Rob Pluske who was making his first appearance of the year.

Rehan Alikhan overcame a poor front nine and was 4 down at the turn. He fought back to be 1 down with 4 holes to play but unfortunately lost the next 2 to go down 3/2.

Debutant Rob Pluske made a good start to his pennant career with a fighting half.

Gus Elliot and Dave Southam lost whilst Damon Watkins fought back after a slow start to be square with 5 holes left. After losing the next two and winning the next he was not without a chance being one down with 2 holes to play. A loss at the difficult par 4 17th snuffed out his chance and he went down 2/1.

John Samuels was 1 up after the front nine but lost 2 of the next 4 holes and when he was 1 down after 13 he had a real fight on his hands. But true to form he won the 15th and then the final hole to record another excellent win. His record this season is – 1up, square, 1up, 1down and 1 up.

Summary – Played 18 holes 5 times – won 3, halved 1 and lost 1.

Team captain Scott van Heurck made a successful return winning a close encounter at the final hole.

Final result – a 4.5-2.5 loss.

Refer scores and Pennant Table after Round 4 below.

So, after the fifth round the ladder is very interesting with 4 teams fighting for the right to play in the final.

Whilst it is possible that Nedlands can qualify for the final with two wins, they will be relying on other results to go their way.

Next week they go to LAKELANDS to play ROYAL PERTH and the final game will be against COTTESLOE at LAKE KARRINYUP.

The game at Lakelands starts at 12.20pm

Roving reporter’s comment – All the team can do now is keep on winning – and hope.

From Greg Fitzhardinge on behalf of the team captains.