YOUNG STARS BREAK CLUB’S DROUGHT
LONSDALE ended a 37-year Ford Cup junior pennant drought in stunning fashion, clinching a 4-1 win over Barwon Valley on Sunday.
The victory capped off a remarkable return to junior pennant for Lonsdale, after years in hibernation due to a lack of numbers.
The rejuvenated club’s last and only Ford Cup win came in 1981.
Rex Darcy (4&3), Ben Waterson (3&2), Luke Adam (8&6) and Jordan Smith (19th) all claimed wins for Lonsdale, while Lachlan Snart (two holes) secured Barwon Valley’s result.
Lonsdale took an early 3-2 advantage through five holes, but the matches were tight. Smith and Adam, at four and five for Lonsdale, started strong, while Barwon Valley’s Bryson Nicholls had a slender lead over Darcy.
Lonsdale was able to increase its lead through nine holes, holding a 3.5-1.5 advantage with Barwon Valley’s Rory Monteith leading his match against Waterson.
By the 14th hole Lonsdale had taken a big advantage.
Adam was off the course following his big win over Lucas Kors, while all other players were in front in their matches leading into the last four holes.
Darcy and Waterson then clinched their matches to secure the cup for Lonsdale.
But despite the title secured, competition in the seesawing clash between Max Fitzgerald and Smith was heating up.
A persistent Smith would eventually get the job done on the 19th hole.
Snart was also out on course and he claimed victory on the 18th hole following a stunning tee shot which finished within a metre of the hole.
Barwon Valley can take plenty away from the junior pennant too, even if it didn’t claim the Ford Cup.
It stepped into the competition two weeks before the start of the season to fill a gap following the withdrawal of another team.
It would go on to claim the Trevenen Shield as the best team in its division.