Sloan team gets that winning feeling

Our Sloan Trophy team notched their first win of the season on Sunday (July 3) to climb to sixth in the standings after five rounds.

After a bye, two narrow losses and a draw the lads finally tasted victory against Tasman at Greenacres.

Their comprehensive 7.5 to 1.5 win was a timely boost after a frustrating start to the campaign.

Our juniors got us off to an ideal start, although in contrasting fashion. Mike Murphy was two down early before finding his rhythm to romp to a 5/4 victory, while No 5 Lewis Wilson looked down and out at four down after nine only to mount a stirring comeback to clinch a 1-up win at the final hole.

An out-of-sorts Geoff Halkett endured a miserable day in slumping to a 6/5 loss but his fellow intermediate Dean Goodman – who chipped and putted well – kept the team on course in cruising to a 6/5 win after being five up at the halfway mark.

Keri Kotua was two up at the turn before losing a couple but rallied well for a 3/1 result which secured the team win, while No 1 Peter Green was two ahead after nine and one up with one to play but was forced to settle for a half after losing his last hole.

In other results Totaradale held leaders Motueka to a 3-all draw, Golden Downs thumped Murchison 8.5 to 0.5 and Nelson’s revival continued with a 7 to 2 win over a short-handed Takaka.

So after five rounds, Motueka remain comfortably in front with 34 points although they are still to have the bye. They are followed by Golden Downs on 26 and Greenacres on 24.5. Next are Totaradale (21.5), Nelson (20), Waahi Taakaro (16.5), Tasman (13.5), Takaka (11.5) and Murchison (10.5).

The next round is at Nelson on July 24 where we play Totaradale.