DIVISION THREE – ROUND ONE
The Division Three team led by Captain Anthony Joseph and Pennant Manager Ufaq Qazi headed to Sea View to play Meadow Springs and commence their quest for elevation to Division Two in 2024.
Hopes were high and with the inclusion of former players Tristan Geerlings and Alister Miles the team looked a formidable one.
But the result was not the one they were hoping for. After 9 holes it looked as though they were heading for disaster – down 4.5 to 2.5 – Alister Miles Square, Tristan Geerlings 3 up and Andrew Ogilvie 1 up.
The next 5 holes saw a sudden change and with 4 holes left to play Nedlands led 5 matches to 2.
Alister Miles had won as had Tristan Geerlings. David Rees had lost, thanks to a forgettable day with the putter.
After being 4 down after 5 holes and seemingly no chance, Anthony Joseph showed his fighting qualities and won holes six to ten to go 1up. He was square after fourteen, but an errant drive on fifteen proved costly. A further loss on seventeen saw him go down 2/1.
Similarly, Ajay Dhadli turned his match around from 3 down after 9 to 1up after fourteen but lost the last three holes to lose at the 18th.
Ben O’Callaghan had a seesawing battle with his opponent and was Square after fourteen but lost the 15th and 17th to go down 2/1.
Andrew Ogilvie was either in front or Square all day until the 18th when his opponent sank a pressure 2 metre putt to take the lead for the first time.
So at the end of the day the final four holes were crucial in determining the outcome of a hard fought match and unfortunately Nedlands were on the receiving end of a 5/2 loss to Meadow Springs.
Next week is a bye and the team will be looking to regroup for their next encounter against Wanneroo at Sun City on July 9.
It sounds like doom and gloom but not necessarily as to play in the final you need to finish in the top 2 out of 5 teams. So hopefully they can get the job done over the next five weeks.
DIVISION FIVE – ROUND THREE
After last week’s disappointing loss at home the selectors made 3 changes to the team and brought in Aidan Cooper, James Pluske and Gary Hing to replace Damon Watkins, and Scott van Heurck.
Not only that but they were playing against Lakelands at Lakelands!! – Was it a case of lambs to the slaughter?? Time would tell.
Gary Hing was never headed in his match and ran out an easy winner 3/2.
James Pluske was 3 down early, fought his way back to 1 down with 4 holes left but his opponent proved too strong and James lost 3/2
Dylan Morgan started the same as he did last week – slowly – and was 3 down early. But this week he fought back strongly and ran out a winner, 2 up.
John Venner put behind him his disappointing finish last week and despite a lost ball on the 14th hole ran out a comfortable 4/3 winner.
After a convincing display at home last week Jack Ellis was up all day and after a couple of late losses ran out a winner after holing a 2 metre “slider” on the last – 1 up.
Aidan Cooper was in an enthralling battle with his opponent and there was only one or 2 holes in it all day, finally going down 2/1.
The ever-reliable Dave Southam was dormie 4, lost a couple of holes late but was always in control winning 2/1.
It was a 5/2 victory for the team which sees them back in the hunt for Division 5 honours.
Next week they are off to Cottesloe to play Sun City at 8.20am.
Captain Scott van Heurck is confident the team can win its remaining 4 games which could be just enough to see them make the final.
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
