Sloan team finishes on a high

Our Sloan Trophy team finished an underwhelming season on a high by thrashing Nelson at Golden Downs on Sunday (Aug 4).

The 8.5 to 0.5 rout meant we came in sixth in the inter-club competition, which was won convincingly by Golden Downs who wrapped up victory before the final round on their home course.

We ended with a record of three wins and five losses.

Our win over big brother Nelson started with our juniors who both won handsomely. Our No 6 Mike Williams concentrated on keeping the ball on the fairway and waiting for his opponent to make mistakes. It took awhile to pay dividends but he eventually cruised to a 4/3 win. His teammate Neil McLaren started better to be three up after nine before closing it out 6/4 with his round including six pars.

No 4 Geoff Halkett took full advantage of his rival's early lapses and getting two shots to streak to a six-up lead at the turn. He lost the next two but won his 12th before two out-of-bounds and a three-putt saw his lead slashed to two with three to play. However, a steadying par at his 16th secured a 3/2 victory.

His fellow intermediate Bryce Vincent was made to work harder for his 2/1 win. He lost the first but battled back to be two up at the outward nine. He lost his 10th and then ground out six consecutive halves before getting the job done at the 17th.

Keri Kotua found himself three down after five but dug himself out of that hole to be all square at the turn. It was still all square with two to go, but he managed to win one of the last two to claim a half.

No 1 Pete Green - who shot a five-over par 77 - won his opening two holes and steadily built a commanding lead which got as high as six up with seven to go before he lost a couple on the trot. However, a birdie on No 17 iced a 5/3 victory.

In other matches, Takaka - who played out a 4.5-4.5 stalemate with Totaradale - finished second overall after Motueka were surprisingly beaten by Greenacres 6.5-2.5. The loss saw Motueka slip to third.

Murchison ended one of the their better campaigns with an 8-1 drubbing of wooden spooners Tasman.

In the final points table, Golden Downs won with 58. Takaka (49.5) and Motueka (47.5) filled the minor places. They were followed by Totaradale (43), Murchison (36.5), Waahi Taakaro (32), Greenacres (30), Nelson (18.5) and Tasman (9.5).