The Otago Bombers lead the competition on games ahead of St Clair — both have created a three-point gap ahead of the Otago B52s and Taieri Lakes. Chisholm Links and Island Park are both winless.
Beautiful autumn conditions greeted the players across the city on Saturday which resulted in the results going to script, although the Saints were again forced to do it via playoff mode for the second week in a row.
St Clair’s juniors got the ball rolling early at Chisholm Links, Albie Reed and Connor Howes securing wins before John McIntee and Mackenzie Gibson levelled the fixture with wins.
Links No 5 Blair Liffiton claimed the scalp of Tony Giles to guarantee at least a playoff which was then confirmed when Saints No 1 Parker Aluesi defeated Mike Weastell on the 17th green.
Aluesi and McIntee were nominated to play No 1 hole but an errant second shot to the green from McIntee proved costly when Aluesi secured an easy par while McIntee’s par putt was short giving the Saints another tight win.
At Balmacewen, the B52s defeated Island Park 4-2 to earn their first win of the season.
However, it was the visitors who struck first through Michael Minty in battle of the veterans. He finished well under the card against Andrew Hobbs in 14 holes before Lewis Harper replied against Oliver Devereux for the B52s.
Monty Wong added a second win for the visitors defeating Tom Gillan on the 17th.
But with the B52s holding a narrow lead across the remaining games, the enigmatic Balmacewen closing holes proved too tough for Island Park. Paul Hubbard and Brian Helton earned wins while Isacc Hobbs defeated Jarden Hammond on the final green to ice the cake for the B52s.
At North Taieri, the Bombers continued their solid start to the season against a Lakes side that is not always easy to knock off at home, winning 5-1.
Fresh off club championships semifinal victories the day prior, Duncan Croudis and Brandon Hodgson claimed early victories to put the Bombers in front.
Luke Murdoch and former Taieri member Ryan Rosevear sealed victory with close wins over Brett Kennelly and Jarrod Mitchell respectively.
Ricky Stewart capped off a successful 24 hours for his family after grandfather Brian and uncle Shane trained six winners at Wingatui on Friday.
He defeated Josh Boath to secure the Bombers’ victory while Hayden Robertson was Taieri Lake’s sole win defeating Ben Patston on the 18th.
By Michael Minty
