Nail biting finish to Fred Daly quarter final
THE quarter final match in the Fred Daly between Banbridge and Donaghadee was a nail-biting affair.
THE FIRST LEG.
The first leg was played at Donaghadee and the local boys came away with a draw, three and a half points each. This was a fantastic result for Banbridge.
Luke Woods, who was one down after nine holes, won 2 up; Timothy Hodgett, a star in the making, won 4 and 3; Daniel Culbert lost 6 and 4.
Matthew Mallon, who was dormie four down, pulled off an amazing recovery to get a half match.
Connor Mulholland played really well to get a half.
And, finally, Mark McCoy came back from two down after 14 holes to get a valuable half.
It was a brilliant team effort to get a draw.
With this result, the advantage was certainly with Trevor Woods’ team.
THE SECOND LEG.
The second leg was played at Banbridge last Wednesday evening. The weather was horrendous starting off.
In fact, play had to be curtailed for a period during a thunderstorm.
The winning target was seven and a half points and the large contingent of supporters from both clubs were kept busy counting the scores.
Luke Woods lost a very tight match against Mark Weatherall by one hole. Luke is a brilliant player but he cannot be expected to win every time.
Timothy Hodgett beat Andy Clegg 2 and 1 so the match score was all-square again.
Daniel Culbert then beat Peter Summerville 3 and 2 and, for the first time, the local lads were in front.
And things got even better when Matthew Mallon beat Andy Johnston 5 and 4.
Banbridge now had six and a half points and were only one point away from victory. They had three chances to get that point.
It wasn’t to come from Connor Mulholland who lost 6 and 5 against Maurice Anderson.
And it wasn’t to come from William Malcolmson who lost 3 and 2 against Callum Jenkins.
The situation now was very tight. The points were level at six and a half each.
The seventh game between Ben Cosgrove of Banbridge and Kyle Green of Donaghadee would decide the issue.
Ben was one up after 12 holes but he lost the 13th and fourteenth to go one down with four to play. It wasn’t easy for Ben as the crowds were running to and fro to get the best vantage point.
Ben had his chances to win both fifteen and 16 but came away from both holes with halves. He was still one down with two to play.
His second shot into seventeen looked a formality but, under the pressure, Ben hit his approach too big and, at this hole, that is fatal. Ben lost the hole and his match by 2 and 1.
There has to be a winner and there has to be a loser. It was a bitter blow for Banbridge because they had a wonderful chance of advancing to the semi-final.
And that would have meant a match against Tandragee. Now that would have been something to savour.
But it was not to be. That’s golf for you!
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Weather for Banbridge
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
