First round tie in the balance after home leg

The Banbridge veterans team which played Silverwood in the opening round of the Des Gregg Memorial Cup.
(l to r) Brian Mulholland (capt), Bobby Geddis, Seamus McGrath, Peter Hillen, Dennis Lockhart, P.J. Johnson, Sydney Pepper, Tom Fee. — The Banbridge veterans team which played Silverwood in the opening round of the Des Gregg Memorial Cup. (l to r) Brian Mulholland (capt), Bobby Geddis, Seamus McGrath, Peter Hillen, Dennis Lockhart, P.J. Johnson, Sydney Pepper, Tom Fee.

This is a competition for veteran players and there is no greater veteran than Brian Mulholland.

He is the captain of the Banbridge team and he knew that, with home advantage, his team needed to win three of the four games if they wanted to progress. As all team golfers will know, that is easier said than done.

Bobby Geddis and Peter Hillen were first out against Francis Kelly and Neil Walker.

Bobby and Peter got off to a great start and they were three up after 10 holes. But the Silverwood men came back very strongly and managed to get a half match.

That was not the start that the Banbridge team expected. And worse was to come.

Brian Mulholland and Sydney Pepper, despite their best efforts, lost three and two against John Clarke and Brian Brady.

Dennis Lockhart and Tom Fee had to be on top of their game to beat Frank Gallagher and Davy Cunningham three and one.

Seamus McGrath and PJ Johnson gave the home supporters something to cheer about when they beat Joe Kelly and David Mills by four and two.

So, after the first leg, the score is Banbridge 2.5 Silverwood 1.5.

The match is evenly balanced with the odds only slightly in favour of Silverwood. All will be decided this week.