25 July 2024

NWMGA Team Match - Week 11 Whitefield Away

After the disappointment of last weeks home defeat to Prestwich, it was a short trip down the Road to Whitefield to face our most difficult game of the Season, especially as they are up there as well challenging for the league. We always try to set realistic targets for away games, and if we can pick 3 points up 'on the Road' then it is classed as a moral victory, however it would feel much more if we could get out of here with 3 points. The pair ups for all the games were very evenly matched with Cosmo and Gaz all getting the most with 2 shots each, Flanny in a Scratch match - Ross and Mozzer all getting 1 shot - Matt, Josh and Markham all giving 1 shot - So the scene is set and the outcome unravels itself below.............................

Match / Player Report

Cosmo

Cosmo went out first against their Mr Steady Dave Norton - and was hoping to bounce back from his defeat last week, but unfortunately his recent run of bad luck carried on. After a week which has seen his 'world falling apart', he was hoping to put that behind him - unfortunately his opponent sunk a long putt on 14 which was the beginning of the end and he eventually lost 3n2 - Selectors now have a Quandary, is it the 🪓 after 2 defeats in 2 - or do they look at his record of no defeats in the 6 previous games 🤔🤔

Flanny

The only undefeated player left that has played this season. Flanny has developed a side to his game over the last few weeks and that is to grind out a result when the swing and connection are not exactly flowing - Knocking in those 10 foot putts when your opponent is nearer, and putting enough pressure on him which makes him miss - Keep up the great Work Ginge 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Ian Morris

Mozzer was drafted back in to the team after a few weeks on the 'Waiting List'. His opponent on the night was just that little bit better hitting birdies at crucial back to the Waiting List it is then Mozzer 🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓

Matt Wrall

Digger was drawn with Jonny Pollock - 2 big hitters together and despite a solid start for digger, his driving started to let him down and by the time he had reached the 14th he was 4 down and eventually succumbed to 4n3 defeat 🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓

Gaz Hall

Another who tasted defeat for the first time last week, and was hoping to bounce straight back. His game was always a tight one with never much in it, but Gaz went 1 up at a crucial time on the 15th - However for the 2nd week in a row he let his opponent back in it over the closing Holes, but managed to get a Halve out of the game - which at the time was welcome as the match score was 4-1 at the time - (another game had already finished which was behind him) 👏👏

Ross Speight

Ross was up against Mr Angry, Mike Sheldon, and although there was never much in it early doors - Ross found himself 2 down stood on 14 and never recovered from that and eventually lost 3n2 🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓

Josh Carr

Josh was again on another track he was not familiar with - but he adapted to the 2 differing 9's very well - managing the shorter front 9 by keeping the big stick in the bag, and then unleashing on the much longer back 9. His game like Gaz's went to the Very Last hole with Josh 1 up - but trying his best to lose the hole as his chip was - well If you see him you ask him - His opponent had a 10 foot putt for the Halve, but fortunately he left it hanging on the lip - and Josh came away with a win in the end - Well done winning again on a foreign Track Pal 👏👏👏👏👏

Markham Bullard

Morecambe played against Ex Bury Member Gary Dearden in what was a close encounter. I wont get dragged into the politics of the situation, but if I say that when Morecambe walked off the last after another Fighting Halve, being 1 down on the tee, (Morecambe was never up throughout the Match) it was greeted by the Team as a Win - and I have no need to elaborate further and use this as a platform - Think enough was said anyway. Well done Morecambe for showing great fighting qualities and getting the Team a Halve 👏👏👏👏👏

A moral victory in the end as Whitefield came out on top 5-3 - I have to comment on how well the course looked, which was echoed by 1 or 2 of the team. Feels like a win in all honesty as at 1 point it was looking like a 6-2 or a 7-1 defeat, but great spirit shown by the lads in the close games, which gave us 2 wins and 2 Halves to get the 3 points on the night. Thanks to Kev Simmons for his support for the lads on the night and it would be good for any of the Squad to come and support the team, it means a lot to the players to see familiar faces (Not Mine, they hate to see my belly sticking out from behind a tree) - we are a squad at the end of the day.

Flanny now sits in joint top spot with Gaz on 23 points in the OOM (See attached), with Cosmo some 4 points back on 19 followed by Si Daniels on 18 - It will be close to see who can finish in the top 3 and go represent the club in the Mackenzie Medallion at Bolton Old Links on Sunday 8th September

So next week we are at home to Pike Fold on Wednesday 31st July and team selection will be announced on Monday, as I am up in the lakes this weekend at Cockermouth and Silloth.

Have a great Weekend
Kex