Losing start for Sloan team

Our Sloan Trophy team started its 2025 campaign in disappointing fashion, being well beaten by Totaradale 7.5 to 1.5 at Golden Downs on a sultry Sunday (Feb 9).

No-one managed a win, with our points coming from three halved matches.

While Lewis Wilson ground out a draw, his fellow junior Andrew Craig went down 3/2. Andrew battled back from three down after three to be just one behind at the turn on the back of good scrambling. But some tree trouble and an out of bounds put paid to his chances.

Neither of our intermediates could play to their handicaps as they suffered matching 2/1 defeats. No 4 Graham Galt was all square after nine before succumbing. He drove well but struggled at times with his short game. His partner Bryce Vincent also had problems with his chipping on the small and tricky greens which was a major factor in his loss.

Pete Green was another to find the greens difficult to read and in the end four short misses cost him a win. Three up at the halfway stage and with his driver and irons going well, he couldn't buy a putt on the back nine and had to settle for a half.

Our No 1 James Campion and his opponent both had a chance to win their match on their last hole but both lipped out to share the points. Earlier, James had eked out a 1-up lead after nine in what was always a very tight contest. Some chipping lapses saw him slip behind but he birdied his 17th hole to tie the match going down the last but couldn't convert.

In other matches, Takaka got the better of Tasman 6.5-2.5, Motueka whitewashed Murchison 9-0 and Nelson shaded Greenacres 6.5-2.5.

The next round is at Murchison on February 23 when we play defending champions Golden Downs.