The fourth round of the 2022 Men’s Pennant season was played on Sunday with disappointing results for the two Nedlands Teams.
DIVISION TWO
Hartfield played host to Round 4 of Division 2 Pennants and Nedlands was pitted against THE VINES, who like Nedlands were after their second win of the season which would probably get them out of the “relegation zone”.
Disappointing losses to Ben O’Callaghan, Andrew Ogilvie, Aiden Cooper and David Rees (at the hands of former member Harry Traylen) saw the result over in the blink of an eyelid.
Anthony Joseph squandered an early lead and turned for home all square. After the next 6 holes he was fighting to stay alive. An untimely loss on the 16th hole saw him 2 down and after halving the penultimate hole he lost 2/1.
Captain Ben Cullinan once again showed his talent and after 9 holes was 2up. Then he won the next 3 holes to go 5 up and whilst he lost the next the finishing line was in sight. A win at the difficult par four 14the hole saw him win 5/4. Truly a captain’s knock.
However, the match of the day belonged to Callum White who was back from a week of exams.
Callum seemed to be cruising and was 3 up after 7 holes. All of a sudden, he lost his momentum and after losing the next 6 holes saw himself 3 down with 4 to play. To his credit he regained his composure and won 3 of the final 4 holes to finish Square – into overtime.
The 19th hole was halved in Bogeys after his opponent 3 putted.
Onto the next which was halved in par 5’.
Daylight was the enemy and at the 21st the match was decided when Callum’s second shot at the par 4 ran off the back of the green and he was unable to get up and down for par whist his opponent was on the green in regulation and two putted for the win. Bad luck but well fought out Callum.
Final result a 6-1 loss.
Refer scores and Pennant Table after Round 4 below.
Next week the team travels to ROCKINGHAM to play MANDURAH commencing at 11.30am. Like NEDLANDS, MANDURAH has only won 1 game. The result of this game could well determine the ultimate fate of the team.
Roving reporter’s comment – The selectors face a dilemma over the next two rounds with Ben O’Callaghan going overseas. One would suggest that the home game against Lakelands in Round 6 could well determine the team’s fate.
DIVISION FIVE
Sitting at the top of the table after round 3, Nedlands travelled to WA Golf Club to play against the home team who were sitting on two wins and a home win would probably see them go to the top of the table.
It was a very tight encounter and after 9 holes it looked as though a halved game was on the cards.
After Usaf Qazi and Rehan Alikhan lost Gus Elliott was in a very interesting encounter. After being 1up at the turn he lost the 10th and from then on it was win one, lose one. The match was all square after 15 and unfortunately bogeys over the next 2 holes saw him go down 2/1.
Matt Dumble was 1 down after 9 holes and then lit up winning 6 of the next 7 holes whilst losing one. An excellent 4/2 win.
Damon Watkins was 1up after 9 holes and halved the next 6 holes. After winning the par 3 16th hole, he lost the long 17th and went to the par 5 18th 1up. Whilst his opponent sank a 6metre putt on the last hole it was not good enough and Damon halved the hole and won 1 up
Meanwhile, Dave Southam was in a battle of his own. After turning square, a loss on the 12th hole saw him go 1down. Three wins over the next 3 holes turned the match around and after halving 16 and 17 he ran out a 2/1 winner.
Now it was 3 all. – but what had “Mr Reliable” John Samuels done?
John fought hard all day but really never got into a winning position, ultimately going down by the barest of margins – 1 hole. He loves playing the full 18 holes.
Final result – a 4-3 loss.
Refer scores and Pennant Table after Round 4 below.
So, after the fourth round the team sits in second position, 1 point behind WA GOLF CLUB.
Next week they go to THE VINES to play LAKELANDS, who have had one win and a half.
WA GOLF CLUB now faces the home team, THE VINES, and a win to NEDLANDS and a loss to WA GOLF CLUB would see NEDLANDS go back to the top of the table.
The game at THE VINES starts at 12.20pm
Roving reporter’s comment – The selection of the team for round 4 will no doubt hinge on who replaces Ben O’Callaghan in the Division 2 team.
From Greg Fitzhardinge on behalf of the team captains.
