Only way is up for Sloan team

Our Sloan Trophy team had a morale-boosting win at Waahi Taakaro on Sunday but it didn’t count towards the competition and we remain last after two rounds.

Rather than have a bye when hosting the event, the home team will now play a Tasman junior side in a welcome innovation designed to add matchplay experience and depth.

We were the first to take on the juniors and prevailed 8-1. Playing at No 6 Warren Carey won 2 up, while his fellow junior Garth Jameson had an easy 6/5 victory. Both our intermediate won, Graham Galt by 5/4 and Keri Kotua by 3/2. Our No 2 Andy Isle lost 1 down, but Pete Green had a good 3/2 victory at the top of the order.

In other matches, Motueka made it two out of two with a comfortable 7-2 win over Nelson. Totaradale also had their second victory, this time a hard fought 6.5-2.5 result over Murchison. Golden Downs are the other unbeaten side after relying on their seniors to eke out a 4.5-4.5 draw against a tough Takaka team. Greenacres bagged their first win, downing Tasman 7-2.

So after two rounds, Motueka lead on 14.5 points just ahead of Totaradale on 14. Defending champions Golden Downs are next on 13, with Takaka holding fourth on 11.

They are followed by Greenacres (7.5), Nelson (4), Tasman (3.5), Murchison (2.5) and Waahi Taakaro (1.5). Waahi Taakaro and Murchison have had their byes.

The next round is at Tasman on March 24 where we play Greenacres.