Werneth get their hands on a trophy at last

GOLF: WERNETH 'A' claimed silverware at the third time of asking when they beat Crompton and Royton 'A' to lift the Oldham and District Golf League KO Cup.

Success was sweet revenge for Mark Abbott's men as they had lost out to Crompton and Royton in the 2010 final and also fell short in this season's league play-off final against North Manchester.

There was no mistaking their determination to avoid being bridesmaids again as Werneth won 5-0 at a rain-sodden Saddleworth.

Werneth dashed into an early 2-0 lead with club vice-captain Lee Rowbotham and vice-elect James Buckley winning 4 & 3 and Adam Rowbotham and Andy Hidrup matching that victory margin.

Werneth needed one more success to seal victory and any hopes of a Crompton and Royton comeback were quashed within a minute when Werneth's large band of supporters cheered as professional James Matterson went within an inch of a hole-in-one at the short 15th to go three up with partner Jonathan Wilde.

And nearby Liam Dwayre curled in a 15-footer from the front of the tricky 17th to bring himself and partner Chris Cordwell back to level from three down with five to play.

Cordwell and Dwayre finished 1up to start the Werneth celebrations, while Jack Suttie and captain Abbott won 2 and 1 and Wilde chipped in at the last for a half and a one-hole win to complete the whitewash.

Crompton and Royton captain Gary Melling was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "Werneth fully deserved the trophy. They got up in the games early on and never let up.

“They have clearly learned from their recent final losses and were very strong."

Victorious captain Abbott added: "This is a young team with lots of talent and we were very determined not to finish the season empty-handed."

This was only Werneth's third KO Cup success in the 32-year history of the competition — they won in 1992 and then again in 2002 under the captaincy of the late Terry Marner.

The KO Plate, which next season will be converted to a 'B' team cup, went to Blackley ‘A’ who beat Ashton ‘B’ 4-1 at Stamford.



CROMPTON and Royton will on Friday stage a team tournament in aid of Help For Heroes.

So far, 28 teams of four have registered, with the first of them teeing off at 11am. The final team will start at 3.30pm.

All proceeds will go the charity, which is dedicated to helping servicemen and women.



DOUGIE Kenyon won the Hall Cup, a major at CROMPTON and ROYTON, after shooting 82-17-65.

Next came Michael Smith (83-17-66), followed by Mark Booth (79-12-67).