Dominant Island Park cements second place
ISLAND Park has cemented second spot in the senior A metropolitan pennant series leading into the final week of roundrobin play.
It delivered a dominant display against the Otago B52s at Waldronville on Saturday.
In mainly still conditions, Island Park had a royal chance to grab second place and set up a topofthetable clash against the Bombers in the final round.
Experienced duo Chris Snow and Michael Smith switched to the tail and recorded wins, while Matt Tautari returned at No 2 after a week off to score impressively in 13 holes.
Park greenkeeper Michael Minty sealed the result with a win over Matt Weir on the 17th green, and Jarden Hammond played well at No 1 to beat Will Young 2 and 1.
B52s No 3 Tom Lee outchipped Phil Bungard in a seesawing affair, earning the B52s’ sole win in the 51 result.
At Taieri, the home side was looking to gain some ascendancy heading into a finalround suddendeath match but was ultimately tipped up 3.52.5 by
Chisholm Links.
Matt Mercer continued his good form beating former professional Michael Weastell 2up.
But the Links side recorded the next three wins through Brent Butler and brothers Kyle and Sean Geary, while Taieri No 1 Hayden Robertson defeated the inform Jason Pegler.
Lakes No 2 Mark Andrews was in front against Mackenzie Gibson on the homeward nine and a draw looked likely.
But a turbulent couple of holes tipped the fixture on its head and Gibson took a 1up lead on the 18th tee.
Despite the Links No 2 losing the final hole to halve with Andrews, the result was already a foregone conclusion.
At St Clair, the home side and the Bombers were fired up after a social media post during the week.
St Clair No 6 Parker Aluesi proved far too strong for Murray Edgar winning 6 and 5.
But St Clair’s winning chance evaporated when Bombers Tyrone Ratahi, Jason Hughes and Nick Borren claimed the next three games.
Conditions were blustery and good scoring proved difficult and a leveller.
St Clair’s Jacob Bellamy set up a grandstand finish, outplaying the undefeated Duncan Croudis on the 17th green, while Joseph Hancock stood 1up on the 18th tee against Brandon Hodgson who was also undefeated.
But when Hodgson missed the green and failed to chip in, the match ended in a 33 draw.