League News
NGL Hollingsworth Trophy
Group B
Kettering booked their place in the last four of the Hollingsworth Trophy after defeating reigning champions Northants County 4-1 at home in their final Group B match.
With County having beaten Wellingborough 3-2 away a week earlier to maintain their 100% record, Kettering knew they needed to get off to a good start, which they did thanks to a 4&2 victory for Laurie Linnell and Luke Saywood.
Jordan Darnell and Edward Keech recorded a 2&1 success for the hosts but with all the other three ties going the distance, the result remained in the balance.
It wasn’t to be for County however as Sam Underwood and Chris Ward secured the Kettering win on the 18th, Jim Campbell and Dave Draper added another point down the last, before Nick Beal and Brian O’Connell bagged a consolation point on the second extra hole.
Group C
With Farthingstone having already confirmed first place in Group C, Northants County A ensured they avoided the wooden spoon as they recorded a 4-1 home success against Peterborough Milton A, who finished bottom.
Group D
Peterborough Milton B snatched top spot in Group D in dramatic circumstances as they beat Silverstone 3-2 at home while Brampton Heath suffered a shock 3-2 home reverse against Overstone Park.
Although Collingtree sat top going into the final round of fixtures, Milton overtook the leaders thanks to wins from Martin Humphries and Dominic Ralfs (3&2), Steve Dickinson and David Fear (4&3) and Nathan Firman and Adrian Firman (5&3).
Narrow defeats in the other two matches opened the door for Brampton Heath to snatch a semi-final place, assuming they could secure a 4-1 victory at home to Overstone, who were out of contention.
Despite two comfortable wins in games two and three, Brampton were unable to complete the job however as Overstone bagged the remaining three points.
Lee Hitchcock and Ian Kennedy (3&2), Andrew Watson and Sean White (2&1) levelled the scores, before Ryan Genner and Dale Burton wrapped up the away victory on the 18th hole.
NGL Handicap League
Group B
Peterborough Milton showed their mettle in Handicap League Group B as they grabbed two consecutive narrow wins at home to Northants County and then away to Priors Hall.
After losing their opener at Wellingborough last month, Milton looked set for another defeat against County when Julian Moss and Mervin Bateman recorded a six-hole win to give the visitors an 8-2 lead with just one match left on the course.
Steve Wright and Elio Pragliola had different ideas however as the Peterborough duo stormed to an eight-hole victory to turn the overall match on its head.
Milton took this additional belief into their next outing at Priors as they surged into an early lead thanks to wins from Mark Doody and James Middleton (three holes), Bob Fletcher and Neil Berryman (one hole) and Bob Duthie and Steve Dickinson (three holes).
A half in the next tie maintained the away advantage and although the Corby club took the next two games, Milton held on for a 7-3 success.
Ladies Cecil Leitch League
Group A
Whittlebury Park proved too strong for Wellingborough B on their home course in Group A of the Ladies Cecil Leitch League as they completed a 4-1 victory.
Tracey Mann (6&4), Carole Kane (7&6) and Deborah Dixon (6&5) all recorded big home wins, while Christine Coles was successful for the hosts on the 17th hole.
Wellingborough, who lost 3-2 at home to Elton Furze in their previous outing, grabbed a consolation point through an excellent 6&5 win from Helen Marriott.
Group B
Northampton avenged their 4-1 home loss to Kettering a few days earlier by bagging a 3-2 away victory against the same team in Group B.
With Sue Bingham (Kettering) and Julie Ribano (Northampton) winning a point apiece with holes to spare early on, the overall result came down to the other three ties, all of which reached the 18th hole.
Margaret Preece was successful for the hosts, but only after Susan Avison and Jill Cousins had already clinched the win for Northampton.
Group C
Kingsthorpe made the perfect start to their Group C campaign as they recorded a 5-0 home triumph against Cold Ashby, thanks to points from Juanita Pryer, Ionie Robinson, Nicol Golding, Laura Baker and Val Wesson.
Although no team in this division has yet to lose at home, Overstone Park were made to scrap for their first victory of the year by Oundle as they picked up three points on the 18th hole and another on the 17th in a 4-1 home success.
Group D
Staverton Park produced a masterclass in their home match with Delapre in Group D as they secured five convincing wins from Sue O’Hagan, Denise Aitchison, Samantha Harding, Elaine Loydall and Candice Jones.
Although the visitors came into the contest on the back of an excellent 3-2 win at Brampton Heath a few days earlier, they were unable to match Staverton as none of the five ties reached the 17th tee.
Junior League
Group A
Northants County B produced one of the most complete away performances seen in the Junior League in recent years as they recorded a 4-0 whitewash of Peterborough Milton A.
Jack Meakin (3&2), Holly Macmain (4&3), Oliver Golby (6&5) and Oscar Robbins (5&4) used their shot advantages to perfection as they backed up their home success against Delapre last month in the best possible way.
Group C
Overstone Park B used their greater experience at home to Delapre in Group C as they got their season off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory.
Oliver Godwin (3&2), James Lord (7&6) and Freya Pickford (8&7) were all successful for the hosts, but Pele Zidane ensured Delapre took something back with them by clinching the second tie on the 16th hole.