Exciting climax to Ronan Rafferty match

BANBRIDGE are out of the Ronan Rafferty Cup, beaten by the narrowest of margins by Rockmount.

The final result all boiled down to what happened on the final green in the second leg.

The first leg was played away at Rockmount.

Josh Crory, at number one, was well beaten but, all credit to him, he fought back to get a half point for the second nine.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Callum Barnes played really well to get a half match and two points.

Jonathan Brush, an emerging star, also got a half match and another two points.

Patrick Magennis was well beaten and got zero points.

His brother Thomas lost the first nine and the match but got a valuable point by winning the second nine.

So, after the first leg, Banbridge trailed Rockmount, 5.5 points to 14.4.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The second leg was played at Banbridge last Wednesday and it provided moments of high drama.

Patrick Magennis played a blinder and he won all four points.

Josh Crory was superb for the first nine holes, which he won three up. He won his game but lost the point for the second nine.

Banbridge were now only three points adrift (12.5-15.5). If they could win one of the three remaining games, that would clinch it. Each game was decided on the 18th green.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Callum Barnes was on the 18th and he had two putts to win his game. He raced his first putt 4 feet past and missed the return. What looked like a certain win was only a half. Two points went to each team.

Jonathan Brush had a very short putt on the 18th to win his game but couldn’t hole it. Another chance was gone. Rockmount still led by 3 points (16.5 – 19.5).

It still wasn’t over. Thomas Magennis came to the final hole all square. His opponent had a difficult six feet putt for a half. Everyone held their breath as the young Rockmount lad lined up his putt. All credit to him, he holed it.

That was another half and Rockmount had won by 21.5 points to 18.5.

It couldn’t have been much closer. The boys from Banbridge had given it their all but just came up short. That’s golf for you!

Related topics: