10 August 2024

NWMGA Team Match - Week 13 Rochdale Away

So the Bury NWMGA Team Express rolled in to Rochdale on Friday night, knowing that 3 points would take them back to the top of the league with 1 game remaining. Whitefield had moved above us (on Wednesday evening) after beating another Rival for the League (Stand) 5 - 3, and now sat in front of us by 2.5 points. Rochdale (2021 + 2022 Champions) is never an easy place to go, and our track record there over the years was not a good one but if we could equal last years 5-3 loss - in the circumstances that would be a great result - anything more than that would be a Bonus. After last weeks 6.5 - 1.5 Victory over Pike, the team would remain unchanged for the first time this season. Unfortunately I could not be there but we did have the on course updates coming in from Kev Simmons, and my thanks to kev for keeping us updated during the evening, so lets get on with the reports below from the individual matches...................

Match / Player Report

Andy Hall

Andy Led the team into Battle Tonight - facing a tough match, giving his opponent 4 shots on his own track, was never going to be an easy task - and so that proved to be as he lost 5n4. Andy will be on the course hopefully next week, but only in a supporters roll - Andy's Final record for the team was Played 9 Won 4 Drawn 1 Lost 4 - Thanks for playing your part in the Season 👏👏👏 but Alas 🪓🪓🪓🪓

Markham Bullard

Morecambe was receiving a shot in his match - and all reports back from the game showed that there was never much in it, and so it proved as the game finished Halved. Another Positive result for Morecambe away from Home with another Halve. 👏👏👏👏 Current Record Played 9 Won 4 Drawn 4 Lost 1

Dave Flanagan

Flanny took to the course knowing a Win would maintain his unblemished record and make it 9 wins out of 9. Again this was another close game with Flanny stood on the last 1 down and knowing he needed to win the hole to keep his unbeaten record intact, alas it was not to be and he lost for the first in 162 holes - Brilliant effort that Flanny well done pal, finish off the season now with a win in the last game 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Current Record Played 9 Won 8 Lost 1

Gaz Hall

After last weeks defeat at Home, Gaz was determined to right the wrong - Away from the team he disposed of the Unbeaten Flanny in the club knockout and moved in to the Semi-Finals - and he set about his opponent and even though being down early on Gaz Fought back to right the wrong of last week and he took the match 2 n 1, for a much needed Point 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Current Record Played 10 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 2

Colin Stephenson

Cosmo (Getting a Shot) went out behind Gaz again - and none of them actually enjoy that fact- Gaz hates cosmo behind him and Cosmo hates being behind Gaz (if i was there i would have swapped them round) so it was no wonder both where down in the early stages of their matches. Gaz decided to let Cosmo's game through - which then allowed them both to concentrate on their games rather than each other. As you can see above Gaz Won and so did cosmo - 1 up 👏👏👏👏👏 - Current Record Played 10 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 2

Si Daniels

Si - who was again in at number 1 - Giving a shot to your opponent when away is never easy, but more significant at their level of golf - However another close game was fought out and resulted in a Halved Game - Positive result and well done Grease Monkey 👏👏👏👏👏 Current Record Played 9 Won 6 Drawn 2 Lost 1

Josh Carr

Josh on Paper had the hardest game of the night, giving 3 shots to an ex cat 1 golfer now off 7 - was always going to be a tough encounter. Josh was up for most of the game and stood on the 16th Tee he was Dormie 3up - but his opponent showed some fighting spirit and thankfully for the team Josh Held on to win 1 Up 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Current Record Played 7 Won 5 Lost 2

Gaz Clarke

Gaz Was hoping to avenge a bad defeat here last year - as he was struck down by Migraine and lost 8 n 6 - unfortunately his opponent was on top form and gaz lost 6 n 4 - Before you tell me your in Switzerland next week - 🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓 lol Final Playing record Played 3 Won 1 Lost 2

So the final result was a Brilliant 4 - 4 Draw, which now puts us 1.5 points in front of Whitefield on top of the league with 1 game left, which is against Worsley old at home this coming Wednesday 14th. Please see the link below for the latest League table.

On the OOM front, Gaz Hall has regained Top spot and sits on 27 Points - He is closely followed by Both Flanny and Cosmo on 26 Points - in 4th on 23 points is Si and only those 4 can now qualify for the 3 man team event being played at Bolton Old Links on Sunday 8th September.

One game left now and all to play for - The team selection is in process but there will only be 2 changes, 1 in each Handicap section - all players will be notified to ensure they are available,
Thanks to those who turned up last night to cheer the lads on, the lads will have enjoyed the extra support, lets hope to see a few more for our last home game - especially any Dignitaries showing their support. Finally thanks to Kev Simmons for his on course reporting last night much appreciated,