League News
NGL Scratch League
Farthingstone collected their first Scratch League victory at the third time of asking as they won 4½-3½ at Kettering, who have now lost twice at home this season in the second division.
David Summerfield sent the visitors on their way with a 6&5 success, Darren Matthews added a half point, before Karl Leason, Matt Landers and Bradley Wardell all triumphed for Farthingstone on the 17th hole.
NGL Handicap League
Rushden remain on track for a perfect Handicap League qualifying campaign after recording their sixth victory out of six in Group C by beating point-less Collingtree Park 19-5 on their own course.
Although the hosts led by five points early on, Rushden levelled the overall score in the fourth tie, nudged one ahead in the next tie, before sealing victory in style with a 13-hole success from Paul Newell and Richard Pinnock.
Cold Ashby, who are the only other team with an away win, kept alive their hopes of topping Group C with a 17-5 home victory against Wellingborough, who also lost 15-5 at Staverton Park two days later.
Northants County’s home clash with local rivals Brampton Heath in Group A was a tight contest as the hosts edged it by the scoreline 9-6.
In Group B, Priors Hall maintained their record of not dropping a point on their home turf as they defeated Overstone Park 10-0.
NGL Ladies League
Wellingborough were successful for the second time in two outings in the Ladies League as they defeated previously unbeaten Northants County by a single point at Peterborough Milton GC.
Although County recorded a big win from Liz Collins in game four, Wellingborough kept their nerve in the other three matches as Carol Gibbs triumphed on the 18th, Amanda Rawson collected a half, before Lema Townsend earned a 2&1 success.
Elton Furze collected their first victory with a 3-1 success against Northampton as Oggie Wentworth, Sue Pawson and Pauline Hurley bagged the points.
NGL Ladies Cecil Leitch
Staverton Park ended Kettering’s hopes of qualifying for the Ladies Cecil Leitch quarter-finals with a brilliant 3-2 away success as they finished top of Group A with maximum points.
A narrow win for Sue O’Hagan in game one sent Staverton on their way, before Candice Jones and Elaine Loydall wrapped up a sixth consecutive victory as both triumphed on the 15th hole.
Northants County, who defeated Kettering 5-0 at home earlier in the week, are now guaranteed second place in the standings, even before their closing away match at Delapre.
In Group B, Wellingborough are through to the last eight despite losing 4-1 in their last match at Overstone Park, who will join them in the quarter-finals if they avoid a whitewash home defeat to Cold Ashby in their final outing.
Northampton qualified for the quarter-finals after finishing runner-up in Group C with a 4-1 home victory against table-toppers Elton Furze. Beverley Price, Elizabeth Mansbridge, Susan Kreft and Ann Goodman bagged the points for the Harlestone club.
Group D pacesetters Rushden had few problems securing their sixth win out of six with a 4-1 home success against bottom side Brampton Heath.
Whittlebury Park grabbed second place ahead of Oundle on points difference after getting the better of their rivals in back-to-back games as they won 5-0 at home, before losing a tight away contest by just a single point.