Smith in surprise exit, but Boyle’s a matchplay ace

GOLF:
THERE was joy for Ashton assistant pro Mike Boyle but disappointment for Stamford pro Mark Smith in the Manchester Alliance matchplay knock-out.

Smith, the reigning champion, suffered a shock exit when he lost to Ringway amateur Mike Wallwork.

But Boyle was buoyant after defeating professional order of merit leader Graham Cox.

Crompton and Royton assistant professional Jordan Flint went out to Cheshire amateur Gareth Bradley.

Smith is third in the professional section’s order of merit, behind Davenport ace Cox and Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey).




Crompton and Royton came to the rescue as the Alliance returned to action with a team-of-four Stableford. The fixture was switched from Bolton Old Links to the local club, who did the Alliance proud with a course providing pristine, quick greens.



The runaway winners with 90 points were a team from Regent Park, while third place went to Andrew Terry, Jonathan Jones, Josh Ford and Peter Cooper from Springfield Park in Rochdale.

The mixed foursomes knock-out for the Archie Preston Trophy has gone from strength to strength over the years and has attracted another fine entry of nearly 90 clubs.

Preliminary round draw affecting our local clubs is: Crompton and Royton v Houghwood; Chorlton v Brookdale; Blackley v Acregate; Heaton Moor v Werneth.

Among those with byes into the last 64 are Saddleworth and Oldham.

Stamford will be defending the Williams BMW Junior Team Challenge and they have a bye into round two alongside Crompton.

Brookdale begin with a home tie against Horwich.