Vital golf match for Christchurch

Press, 12 September 1980, Page 28

Vital golf match for Christchurch

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

The Christchurch golf team, leading the field in its quest for a fifth consecutive Woodward Cup inter-club championship, is expecting a difficult task when it meets Russley at Harewood on Sunday in the second-last round of the competition. It is not only that Russley is near the top again after several years in lowly positions. It has as its manager the cheerful and vigorous Barry Cotton: and he is no. Duke of Piazza Torro.

Taking his cue, perhaps, from successful rugby coaches; he has seen the value of applied psychology and his message to a team, lowly-rated at the start of the season, has been that no other side is unbeatable. Russley players confirm that Cotton has instilled a tremendous team spirit into the Russley side. He told them, at regular team meet-

ings that they are not playing for themselves, but for the others in the team. Cotton has worked hard. Apart from-the regular meetings, the members play together the day before an inter-club round. “The boys practise just about every night” he said yesterday “and we have had the club behind us.” The club has given special Woodward Cup sweaters to the players on recording three wins, and raffles raised the money to provide the team with uniform slacks, All this effort seems to be paying dividends. At the start of the competition ' Russley’s handicaps ranged from three to six. Since then, Cotton says, they have all come down a shot or two. •. ■

“Christchurch is not unbeatable” said Cotton. "They will be tough, but there are weaknesses in their team

which can be exposed. The course will suit us -better, too —Harewood is rather like Russley and their big hitters will not have a major advantage. As I see it, it is probably 60-40 in favour of Christchurch.” The Christchurch captain, Andrew Robinson, says his side is not over-confident. “I think we will have a really keen game” he said. “Our players have been practising all week and they know they are in for a tough game. But we must stand a good even battling chance.” The game is of vital importance to Waitikiri, .as well as Christchurch and Russley. Christchurch, with six and a half points, has faltered only in a .halved match with Central Canterbury. Russley lost to Harewood and halved with Coringa. Waitikiri halved with Templeton and lost, last month, to Russley. Russley needs a victory to draw level with Christchurch

S in championship points, but ; still has a leeway of four > and a half individual games 5 to-make up—-at present it is . 39| to 35. Waitikiri, , like 5 Russley, has five and a half f points, and 34 individual games. Waitikiri will : no , doubt be hoping for a narrow ; Russley victory and a sub- [ stantial win by its own side ' over Coringa. That would leave the top ; three teams on level terms ' in championship points, before the final round, in I which Christchurch meets Waitikiri and Russley -plays Waimairi Beach., ’ ■ r 7‘, ' " 1 Waitikiri, however, cannot • look forward with too much 1 confidence to its game with I Coringa. After winning each 1 of the first five rounds, Wai- ' tikiri was checked by Tern- : pieton and lost to Russley. ! Coringa may be a handful. In the principal match, i the teams will be as they i were in the previous, round.

The playing orders then were—Christchurch: Simon Robinsori, John Williamson, Des Turner, John Parlane, Wayne Tucker, lan Dobson, Andrew • Robinson, John Orr. Russley: Paul Atkinson, Neville Griffiths, Keith Uynd, Roger Sisson, , Peter McDonald; John .Bierwith, Adrian Sisson and Geoff Black. '' ■ ' - The individual competition for the Stan Rich Salver is also at a vital stage. John Dixon (Harewood) has; the possible, seven wins. Only half’;'a point: behind are ■Tucker and ■'Murray Wright (Avondale) and if these players; succumb, -it will be an opportunity for Black and Stephen Street (Harewooa) each of whom has had six wins and a loss. Two unbeaten'players who may yet coine into contention are Turner, and Neil <; Robertson (North Canterbury). Both have had five wins and a half in six appearances.