Bonnar Win Tight Battle

Round 1, 12th May 

The Bonnar Cup team this year is a very strong side and if the players can maintain their form, attitude and confidence throughout the season, we should again be very competitive as we endeavour to qualify for the Finals and ultimately give ourselves a chance to win the Bonnar Cup.

It is a very similar side to last year and we welcome Ben Magi back to pennant golf. We certainly have a side with good depth and plenty of experience playing match play Pennant golf.

This Round 1 match against Flagstaff Hill was tight all day, with both sides looking likely winners at different stages of the contest. At the half way mark Flagstaff Hill were ahead in 4 games and Glenelg led the other 3 games. By the 15^th hole the contest had really tightened up – 2 games had finished with each side winning one game each – in the other 5 games, 4 were square with Glenelg leading the other game.  The final scoreline of 5/2 does not really reflect the tightness of the contest and it was a credit to the Glenelg boys to maintain composure over the concluding stages to snatch a vital victory.

At No.7 Luke Bashford was having a keen tussle. His opponent birdied the difficult par 3 15^th hole (the 6^th hole of the match) and also the 16^th to take a 2 up lead. Luke bounced back with a birdie on the 17^th to be only one down. Then Bash played the better golf over the second 9 to take the lead and win his game 3 & 1.

Ben Magi at No.6 was steady all day. He got out to a 2 up lead after 8 holes but his opponent fought back to square the game after 15 holes. Ben then won the 16^th (the 7^th hole) and holed a nice 20 foot putt on 17 to win his game 2 & 1.

Andy Humphries at No.5 was a little out of sorts with his game and with his opponent playing solid golf all day,  Andy found himself 2 down after 8 holes and finally lost his game 5 & 4.

At No. 4 Henry Duregon put on his usual pennant golf display. Out to an early lead, Henry was 4up after 9 holes and continued his good form to win 7 & 5. The sort of victory Team Managers just love!!!!

Michael Ratajewski at No 3 had a really tight tussle all day – Square early after 5 holes, Rat was 1 down after 9 – he then went 2 down after 13, but in typical Rat fashion won the next 2 holes to get back to square after 15. However he lost the 16^th hole (the 7^th hole) and was 1 down with just 2 to play with the match contest in the balance – but Rat went on to win the 17^th and also the 18^th to lead in his game for the first time as he shook hands with a 1 up victory!!  

At No. 2 Simon Gallie was also having a tight tussle all day. This match was full of merit with both players displaying high skill levels. Simon grabbed the early initiative and was 2 up after 9 holes, but his opponent stayed in the game with some good birdie golf and holing some nice putts to get the game back to square after 15. Simon lost the 16^th (the 7^th hole) to go 1 down – Simon could not have played the 17 and 18^th any better – just missing shortish birdie putts on both holes – he looked likely to win both those holes, but his opponent continued his impressive putting by holing long putts on both those holes to maintain his 1 hole advantage. A great match by both players.

At No.1 Harry Burner struggled early to be 3 down after 5. He rallied a little to be 2 down after 9, but kept at his task over the second 9 to get the game back to square after 13 – still square after 15, Harry won the 16^th and 17^th for a well deserved 2 & 1 victory.

Next Sunday we play Grange at Blackwood from 12.10pm – this contest will be a “beauty” – a really important match for both teams. Grange, as usual, also have a very strong side – and the winner from this match will take a decided advantage in to the rest of the season.

Wayne Humphries, “B” Pennant Team Manager