Sloan team makes further strides up the ladder

Our Sloan team put together its best result of the season to thrash Nelson at Tasman on Sunday (June 9).

The comprehensive 8-1 victory saw us climb to fifth on the points table with four rounds to play.

Our juniors jump-started things by both winning their matches. Dave Blake came from two down early on to get back to square before winning three holes in a row to coast to a 3/2 win over Ron Fyfe. Lewis Wilson was four up at one stage against Murray Lauchlan before giving it all back by the turn but he found his mojo again on the back nine to canter to a 3/2 victory.

Elton Netto was never behind in his match and ground out a 2/1 result over Dave Harley, however our other intermediate, Steve Russell, had a tough day and was seven down against Johnny Corby before a late rally reduced the margin to a 5/4 loss.

Both seniors were one down after nine holes before fighting back. Keri Kotua won three holes on the bounce on the back nine to pip Andrew Simpson 1 up, while No 1 Andy Isle showed his mettle when it mattered by winning four holes in a row to bury Keir Wilkinson 4/3.

The win - our second on the trot - lifts us into fifth place, within touching distance of Tasman in fourth but still well behind the leading three teams.

In other results, Motueka strengthened its lead with a 7-2 over Totaradale, Murchison  upset Golden  Downs 6 1/2 to 2 1/2 and Greenacres overcame Takaka 6 1/2 to 2 1/2.

The points table is: Motueka 39, Greenacres and Golden Downs 30, Tasman 24.5, Waahi Taakaro 22, Murchison 19.5, Nelson 18.5, Takaka 16.5, Totaradale 13.5.

The next round is at Greenacres on June 23.

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