Youngsters rise to the challenge

SADDLEWORTH’S all-conquering juniors have won through to the final of the Manchester Alliance’s Williams BMW Challenge.

Their latest success came in the semi-final when they defeated Birchwood 6-1 at home.

The victories were secured by Matthew Woolley (2up), Jack Shaw (5&4), Rick Scholes (4&3), Jamie Heywood (4&2), Stephen Pullen (3&2) and Ben Simpson (5&4).

Saddleworth have won through five rounds and will play Horwich at neutral Lowes Park in the final on Sunday, October 12.

Richard Hughes landed Saddleworth’s last major of the season with victory in the Mountain Ash.

He had a two-round total of 145-8-137 which was one shot clear of David park (148-10-138) who was second on the card from Danny Guerriero (162-24-138).

The first-day prize was won by Stan Kenyon (81-14-67) while second-round honours went to Malcolm Moreland (84-17-67).

The seniors FV Rhodes Trophy, an 18-hole singles Stableford, was won by Ray Dean (37pts) on the card from Phil Paxford. Third was Mike Shore (36).

A subsidiary, for those under the age of 55 years, saw Steve Hodson (41pts) win from Richard Eckersley (40) and Ken Mills (39).

CROMPTON AND ROYTON staged their matchplay finals day with Andy Frizzell capturing the Highfield Cup after defeating Mark Barrett in the final of the singles.

CELEBRATE

The Top Dogs, the four-ball, saw Rick Sweet and Andrew Simpson triumph 4 & 3 over David Holme and Steve Bowers.

Chris King and Ros Styles overcame Tony Costello and Jean Heathcote 5 & 4 in the mixed foursomes.

The Howard Trophy, for the six best medal scores of the season, went to Rob Hogarth from second-placed Jordan Flint.

The gross eclectic, for the best gross score on every hole, was also claimed by Hogarth from runner-up Chris Rabbich.

And the nett eclectic, for the leading nett score on every hole, went to Dave Hopkin from second-placed Jim Booth.

A new major The Masters was staged and eligibility was scoring nett 70 or under in any competition during the season.

Steve Porter and Graham Harper must play off over 18 holes for the inaugural event after both returned nett 66.

A subsidiary for those not eligible to compete in The Masters saw Dave Hopkins take top spot with a nett 69.

Chris Boyle had plenty to celebrate in Winter Qualifier No 2 at BROOKDALE winning the second division and also scoring a hole-in-one at the 14th.

The ace helped Boyle to a 77-14-63 and a two shot margin of victory.

Runner-up was John Peace (82-17-65) on the card from Alan Hardwick (83-18-65) and Roy Taylor (90-25-65).

Terry Boothby (74-10-64) took the honours in the first division from Gary Lever (70-5-65), Howard Buckley (78-12-66) and Steve Boyle (72-6-66).

Closing Invitation saw Albert Brogan and S Shaw emerge victors in the four-ball Stableford with 44 points.

Runners-up were Jim Garside and D Woolley (43) while third place went to Gary Smith and G Conroy (42) on the card from Tony Hart and D Booth.

Winners of a four-ball betterball medal at OLDHAM were father-and-son Ian and Matt Radcliffe (57) from second-placed Graham Pendleton and Lee Blainey (59).

Sam Lunt (38pts) claimed top spot in the first division of a singles Stableford from second-placed Pete Carruthers (37).

Ray Fry (39) took the second division prize from Sam Gilbey (37).

STAMFORD’S four-ball betterball Stableford was won by James Woodcock and Tony Cavanagh (47pts) while second spot went to John and Colin Burke (45).

Colin Houghton took the honours in a medal with a score of 81-18-63 from second-placed Mike Dooley (71-6-65).

WERNETH’S three man Texas scramble was won by Paul and Lee Rowbotham and John Armstrong with a score of 56-1.5-54.5.

In second spot with 61-3.5-57.5 were John Mellors, Adam Rowbotham and Ian Richardson.