Staverton Park are the Scratch League second division champions after winning 5-3 at Cold Ashby in one of the most dramatic games in NGU Scratch League history.
With long-time leaders Northampton two points ahead of Staverton and with a better points difference, Staverton’s Michael Franklin knew they needed to win by two clear points to have any chance of promotion.
That prospect looked highly unlikely a
fter the opening two ties as Ashby's Graham Bott beat Franklin four and three and Greg Croxton made it eight individual scratch wins out of eight this year with a four and two success over Leigh Foster.
Needing to win at least five of the remaining six points, Dave Poolton began the Staverton fight back by defeating Paul Askew on the 18th hole.
Simon Brown beat Rob Clayton four and two and Duane Hayle defeated Andy Clark five and four.
But a heavy loss for Tom Lenton to Tim Camfield meant Staverton needed the other two games – both of which reached the 18th.
Staverton’s Russell Brown was ahead by one on the final tee, but in the knowledge that any slip would allow Ashby's Mark Conway to snatch a half, the away man kept his nerve to win.
The pressure then switched to Staverton's Phil Rosier to grab the point that would clinch promotion as he sat level with Andy Aveyard going down the 18th.
With both players leaving themselves putts for par, Rosier holed his effort from six feet before watching Aveyard’s four-footer stay above ground.
Staverton finished level with Northampton on 12 points and a points difference of +16, but grabbed the promotion spot courtesy of having a better holes won/lost difference.
Ladies’ Scratch Match
The ladies’ Scratch team was beaten 1-2 at Rushden on Sunday, July 27.
The heat was really oppressive and the ladies tee'd off when it was hottest.
They had one win which was extremely good with a score of seven and six, and one very narrow loss on the 19th hole.
Saturday, August 2 2008
Captains’ Day: Gents
First place Rob Hemus with 44 points; second place Troy Collins with 43 points; third place Michael Franklin.
Vets’ Winner Brian Cox with 31 points (won on countback)
Ladies’ – Division One: winner Dawn Rimmer with 42 points; Runner Up April Owens with 36 points.
Division Two: winner, Mitch Bates 36 points; runner up Marg Taylor with 30 points (won on countback).
The full article contains 413 words and appears in Daventry Express newspaper.
