Russley wins twice

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 3

Russley wins twice

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Russley made a postive move towards retaining the Woodward Cup inter-club golf championship when it came through the second and third rounds unbeaten, at Coringa yesterday. After three rounds. Russley is the only team of the 10 to" have maximum points, although both Coringa and North Canterbury remain unbeaten and, half a point behind, are poised to pounce. The two sides drew in the first round.

After the extraordinary happenings in the first round a fortnight ago. the second round yesterday morning was comparatively dull. The favoured teams all won decisively.

Templeton, which won 8-0 in the first round, found Christchurch a different proposition. Christchurch redeemed itself after losing to Waitikiri in the opening round by winning, 6-2, but the margin was a litle flattering. Two of Canterbury's foremost golfers, John Williamson (Christchurch) and Mark Street, the Templeton No. 1, met in one of the most interesting individual duels. Williamson was 2 up with three holes remaining, but Street produced the exciting golf that he is capable of and won 16 and 17 by holing long birdie putts. They finished all square and below par.

Templeton's sole victory came at the bottom where the experienced captain, Roy Newburn, comfortably accounted for another cup veteran, lan Dobson. Waitikiri's win, 6-2, against Waimairi Beach was helped by the successes of Murray Brown and John'McCormick in the top positions. Brown beat the Canterbury No. 6. Stephen Greenall, .and McCormick held on against the talented Fred Poskitt. The afternoon round was much more eventful. The drawcard was the meeting between the two top teams, Russley and Waitikiri. After five holes, Russley was ahead, 4 L 2-3 L 2, and it stayed that way through nine holes, 13 holes', and to the finish.

Russley had wins in the bottom two positions where Jon Bierwirth and and David O'Keefe were always narrowly ahead of Bob Farrant and David Murphy, respectivelv.

The Waitikiri No. 5. Paul Minifie, found his touch and did little wrong in downing Roger Sisson, and John Bone should have squared the bottom order for Waitikiri. He had the measure of Peter MacDonald throughout, and was 2 up with two to play.

However, Bone threeputted the seventeenth after having a grand chance to end the match there. Their last hole, the par-5 fourth, was even more disastrous. Mac-

Donald won it with a six to his opponent's seven. Waitikiri could not retrieve the half point it lost unexpectedly. The top four matches were shared. 2-2. Waimairi Beach was understandably jubilant when it held Christchurch to a draw. Peter Hamilton, who had earlier defeated Minifie, capped off a fine day with a good win against a former Freyberg player. Joe Whittaker. and Poskitt had the measure of the Canterbury match-play champion, Geoff Saunders.

Waimairi almost stole the match when its No. 1, Stephen Greenall, came out of a bunker and holed a 3m putt on the last. His opponent, Williamson, was faced with a 2m putt to keep him 1 up and save his team from defeat. He responded admirably.

Coringa also had to wait until the last putt before it was assured of victory against Templeton. Its No. 2. Peter Heasley. went 1 up against Joe Gantley. Gantley was well-placed to take the last hole, but again Heasley was magic with his putter — this time from sm. Points:—Russley 3 (18). Coringa 2G (15). North Canterbury 2G (14 l i). Waitikiri 2 (16). Waimairi Beach 1G (12), Christchurch 1G (11G). Templeton 1 (13G). Harewood 1 (7G). Avondale 0 (6G), Central Canterbury 0 (SG). Full results, page 27