Sloan team needs a miracle

Our Sloan Trophy odds have lengthened considerably after our three major challengers all won on a day when our team did even swing a club.

Waahi Taakaro will now need a minor miracle to claim the silverware after we hosted the eighth and penultimate round of the hotly contested inter-club competition on a sunny Sunday (July 19).

This meant we had the bye so the team and our club supporters had to sit, watch and hope that results fell our way and that our main rivals stumbled. Unfortunately, they didn't, with Takaka, Golden Downs and Motueka all winning.

So at the end of play, we have fallen from first to third equal on the leaderboard, 6.5 points behind Takaka who dispatched Totaradale 7-2. Golden Downs just got the better of Nelson 6.5-2.5 to remain second 4.5 points from the lead, while Motueka thrashed Murchison 8.5-0.5 to climb to third equal with Waahi Taakaro. In the other match, Tasman got the better of cellar dwellers Greenacres 6.5-2.5.

So with one round to go - which will be played at Nelson on August 2 - Takaka are in the box seat on 46.5 points, with Golden Downs still in with an outside chance of making it four titles on the trot on 42 points. We and Motueka share third on 40 points and would need a boilover to snatch the crown. Nelson - who have completed their campaign - are next on 30, followed by Totaradale (27), Tasman (24), Murchison (23.5) and Greenacres (15). Takaka's Neil Gardiner was the only golfer among the 48 in the field to bag a two.

Takaka couldn't have a better draw for their last match against Greenacres who have won only one tie all season, while Golden Downs will hope for a big win over Totaradale, We will have to virtually whitewash Murchison to stand any chance as will Motueka who play Tasman.

Whatever the outcome, we can be proud of the performance of our team this year.