Sloan team undone by Tasman

Our Sloan team were outplayed 7-2 by a tenacious Tasman team at Nelson on Sunday (June 8).

The disappointing result means we slip to sixth in the standings after six rounds.

The die was cast early when both our juniors suffered 3/2 defeats.

No 6 Dave Huntley  - who started with a three-stroke advantage - kept in touch on his front  nine and turned all square, but putting and chipping lapses proved fatal as the match progressed.

Ian Hanford also had problems on the greens. He was two down after nine and despite getting two strokes he couldn't foot it with an opponent who played very well in shooting a net 69.

Our No 4 Garth Jameson provided some hope with a dominant 6/4 win. He drove particularly well in carding a net 71 playing off a 16 handicap and against a rival who had to give him three strokes.

Garth's fellow intermediate Bryce Vincent got us back on even terms with a comfortable 3/2 win after being two up after nine. Bryce - who began two strokes to the good - played very steady golf from tee to green and putted well in his net 71 playing off a 13 handicap.

With the outcome of the tie in the balance, our two seniors Pete Green and James Campion couldn't overcome the hurdle of giving their opponents seven and six strokes respectively. James was blown away 5/4 by a challenger who played out of his skin and well below his handicap of 10. Four down after nine, James couldn't make any impression despite shooting a net 72. 

Playing at No 1, Pete needed to be at his best but found himself down early, was too inconsistent and suffered a few bad lies and bounces on the way to a 4/3 loss after being 1 down at the midway point.

In other results, defending champions Golden Downs moved ominously into second with a 7-2 win over Greenacres. Motueka took over top spot and in the process damaged Totaradale's hopes with a 7.5-1.5 victory, while Takaka got back on track with a 7.5-1.5 win over Murchison.

So after six rounds Motueka - who have still to have their bye - lead on 35.5 points. Golden Downs are breathing down their necks on 34, while Totaradale fall to third on 30, just in front of Takaka on 29.5. Tasman leads the also-rans with 23 and is followed by Waahi Taakaro (20), Greenacres (17), Nelson (14.5) and Murchison (12.5).

The next round is at Greenacres on July 6 when we play Murchison.