Big win for Simpson Cup keeps team in finals contention

Report by Geoff Attenborough

Glenelg’s Simpson Cup team, playing at home, produced their best performance in the last three years, defeating Highercombe 7 matches to 0.

With a very cool north wind blowing, our boys adapted to the conditions far better than our Highercombe opponents.

Our first match to play at no. 7 was Braeden Kelly in his debut Simpson Cup match for the club.  After some solid performances in the Bonnar Cup, Braeden deserved his chance after Ben Hallam withdrew with injury.  This match was tight being square after nine holes, however Braeden pressed home his advantage to be 3 up after 15 holes and after losing the 16th hole closed out his match on the 17th to win 2/1.

Next to play at no. 6 was James McDonald, making his return to the team after being out from the start of the season with a back injury.  James, after a somewhat ordinary start to his match, found his form to get the upper hand. After being 1 up after nine holes, James won four of the next five holes to convincingly win 5/4.

David Hiern at no. 5 has really found his form over the last two matches and played extremely well to win his match 6/5.  David was in control for all of his match and, after being three holes up after seven, put his foot down to win at the 13th hole.

Anthony Olsen playing at no. 4 continued his great form to remain undefeated for the season so far.  With my assistant manager, Gary Thompson, on the bag, Anthony was off to a flying start four holes up after nine. Anthony then proceeded to win the next three holes for an outstanding 7/6 win.

Will Starkey at no. 3 had an outstanding day to have a resounding 7/6 win.  Will was 7 up after nine holes and was in complete control. After losing the 11th hole, Will closed out his match at the 12th to completely outclass his opponent.

Lachlan Barker at no. 2 bounced back from a defeat last week to record a solid win against his determined Highercombe opponent.  Lachlan did not have it all his own way on the front nine but worked hard to have a two hole advantage at the turn.  Almost embarrassingly, Lachlan won the 10th hole with a double bogey six.  After hitting his second shot out of bounds on to the roof of a house over the back of the green and then playing his 4th shot to the front of the green, Lachlan proceed to get up and down for a six. His opponent, after being on the green for two unbelievably had a five putt to lose the hole and I guess his head.  This gave Lachlan a three hole advantage. Funny game golf!! Lachlan went on to win two of the next three holes to close out 5/4.

Josh Hayes playing today at no. 1 had a really tough day struggling with his game. To his credit and with our head pro, Shane Robinson on his bag, Josh toughed it out for a solid 3/1 win.  After being 1 up after six holes then 1 down after nine, Josh gained the lead to be 2 up after 12 holes. To then lose the 13th and 14th holes and be back to square, Josh showed his class to win the next three holes. A great 50 foot putt for birdie closed out his match to give the team a great win.

Thanks to all members who came out and supported the team, and a special thanks to all of the players’ caddies for the time and effort put in to get our guys across the line.

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