Sloan team win big to stay in contention

Our Sloan team thrashed Nelson in a must-win match at Motueka on Sunday (July 5) to stay well in contention for trophy honours.

The 8-1 victory means we return to the top of the table with two rounds remaining, but Takaka remain title favourite after a surprisingly comprehensive 8-1 win over previous leaders and three-times champs Golden Downs. Both Takaka and Golden Downs have the advantage of having had their bye, while we will sit out the next round which is played at Waahi Taakaro.

In what is looming as one of the tightest races for years, we lead the inter-club competition on 40 points, with Takaka breathing down our necks on 39.5 and Golden Downs still within reach on 35.5.

Our juniors got us off to the best possible start against Nelson. 

Graham Eggers didn't let giving his opponent six shots faze him, turning a 1-up lead after nine holes into a comfortable 3/2 win. His steady performance where he played almost to his handicap was built on accurate driving and sure putting.

His partner Craig Barron played really well on a course softened by heavy overnight rain which limited his prodigious length of the tee. Craig shot an 82 playing off a 15 handicap to cruise to a 4/3 win marked by pinpoint driving and some deft chipping and putting.

Matt Tomczyk maintained the momentum with a 3/1 win after being 1-down at the turn. Disadvantaged by having never played Motueka before, Matt shook off a few bad holes to finish strongly on the backing of some solid driving and putting.

Our No 3 Keri Kotua kept us perfect with a typically gritty 1-up victory against a rival whom he had to give three shots. Two-up after nine, Keri ground out a result with some tidy driving and wedge play.

Pete Green overcame a slow start to storm to a big 6/5 win, which included a late birdie two before closing out the match with a half after losing a ball. Pete's exceptional putting and rescue shots from the trees were keys to his success, with him shooting an 80 playing off a five handicap.

Our captain and No 1 James Campion couldn't emulate his teammates despite playing solidly and shooting an 78. He went down 3/2 against an opponent who was just a little more consistent, while James missed a few vital putts in the 8-12ft range.

In other matches, Takaka caused a shock by dealing to the previously unbeaten Golden Downs 8-1, while Murchison humbled Greenacres by the same margin. Totaradale saw off Tasman 7-2, while Motueka beat the Tasman Juniors in a non-competition match.

So after seven rounds, Waahi Taakaro leads on 40 points, with Takaka (39.5) and Golden Downs (35.5) well within striking distance. They are followed by Motueka (31), Nelson (27.5), Totaradale (25), Murchison (23) and Tasman (17.5) , with Greenacres trailing on 12.5.

The next round at Waahi Taakaro on July 19 sees a key match between Takaka and Totaradale, while Golden Downs takes on Nelson. In other ties, Greenacres v Tasman, Motueka v Murchison and Waahi Taakaro play the Tasman Juniors.