Howells takes slender advantage into Patrol final round

THE seniors at Derllys Court Golf Club returned to action with the penultimate round of the Dawn Patrol League.

With a great score of 43 points, inform John Phillips became the ninth player to take first place, two clear of second-placed John Hartley who had to settle for the best score from the lower-handicappers in division one.

Nicky Goldsmith’s 39 took the next place in the same group on countback from Alan Hire, Phil Mountjoy and Hugh Thomas, with Julian Bowen’s 38 good enough to take the second spot in division two.

Huw Hafod Jones made a significant move up the table to take second on 46 points, just two behind Denzil Howells, who has been among the top three since the second round.

Frank Wride slipped to third place, but with the top six separated by only five points, this year’s winner won’t be decided until the final round.

The seniors also returned to team action when a home fixture with Newport Sands resulted in a narrow 4½-3½ defeat for the hosts.

After the first three matches went to the visitors, wins for Idwal Thomas and Phil Rogers (4&3), Phil Mountjoy and Ian Watson (3&2) and Roy Gallop and Brian Newcombe (4&3) levelled the scores. But with only a half from John Hartley and Alan Hire added to the score, the visitors deserved their narrow victory.

The line-ups for the seniors’ knockouts see last year’s pairs winners Graham Bebb and Dave Wood with a chance of retaining their title after a comfortable 6&4 win over Phil Challenger and Des Jones.

The pair will meet Richard Clark and David Rogers on finals day, Saturday September 22.

Ken Breaker will face Idwal Thomas in the singles final. Thomas overcame Alan Hire in a close and competitive match that went to the 19th hole.