Oldham surprise Denton

OLDHAM ‘A’ continue to be the surprise team of this season’s Oldham and District Golf League.

This week they travelled to title-chasing Denton and came away with a 4-4 draw thanks to wins for Lee Blainey and Paul Rainford and captain Paul Pattinson and Norman Radcliffe.

That result meant leaders Brookdale all but maintained their advantage despite losing 5-3 at Stamford.

Pete Buckley took himself to the top of the league individual standing with a half alongside Garry Smith against Martin Dwyer and Keith Dockerty while Gary Lever and Russell Wood won on the last green for the visitors.

For the home side, their were successes for Ian Trow and Stuart Fletcher and Tony Cavanagh and John Strickland.

Werneth stayed on the fringes of the chase for second spot with a 6-2 away win at Saddleworth through James Buckley and David Whaley (4 and 3), Jonathan Wilde and Bob Barrington (2 and 1) and Mike Fogo and Mike Farrimond (1 hole). Colin Wood and Mike Harrington (3 and 2) were the sole home winners.

Brookdale ‘B’ sneaked a point ahead ahead in the ‘B’ Division race with a 6-2 home win over Stamford while then joint leaders Denton got a 5-3 success at Oldham.

All Brookdale’s players were in the points — Keith Loftus and Tony Bergin (5 and 4), Dave Harrison and Paul Fry (4 and 2) and halves for Gary and Graham Whittaker and Chris Gleave and Gary McHugh.

But Ashton’s hopes took a dive with a 6-2 home defeat at the hands of Dukinfield and last season’s champions moved above them into third — only six points adrift of the top.

A Division: Saddleworth 2 Werneth 6; Stamford 5, Brookdale 3; Denton 4, Oldham 4; Dukinfield 7, Ashton 1.

B Division: Brookdale 6, Stamford 2; Oldham 3, Denton 5; Ashton 2, Dukinfield 6; Werneth v Saddleworth (off, waterlogged).