Boyle-ing point in neighbours’ clash

Alan Squires

GOLF: ASHTON professional Michael Boyle rolled in a par putt on the final green in the last match to clinch a thrilling 4-3 Dunham Forest Trophy first-round victory over neighbours Werneth.

Werneth were 3-2 up with wins for club captain James Buckley (4 & 3), Adam Rowbotham (2 & 1) and brother Lee Rowbotham (4 & 3) after Barry Shaw-Allen (one up) and Adrian Reece (2 & 1) had won for the home side.

But then the drama began to unfold with Ashton ahead in the final two games.

First, Werneth’s Jack Suttie holed vital putts on the 17th and 18th greens to come from two down to take his match with Gareth White into overtime.

Then visiting professional James Matterson won the 17th to take home pro Boyle up the last.

White regained his composure to roll in a 12-foot putt for birdie at the 19th after Suttie had lipped out from 15 feet and, within minutes, Boyle sealed victory in front of a large crowd of members by the clubhouse.

“It was an amazing game played in a great spirit,” said Ashton’s non-playing captain Andy Lomas.


OLDHAM’S Alan Squires was in dominant form for Lancashire Seniors as the county strolled into the English finals for the third successive year with a 24-shots victory over runners-up Cumbria.
At a wet, breezy Ilkley Golf Club, Squires claimed the individual title with a two-round score of 141, three clear of Cheshire's Dave Nelson. The finals are at the RAC Club, Epsom, from October 7-10.


BROOKDALE assistant Grant Hamerton was beaten in a three-way play-off for the Bathgate Cheshire and North Wales Open title at Portal.
After shooting 73 and 71 for a two-round total of 144, Hamerton was matched with Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range) and Steve Parry (Hart Common).

But it was Barnett who took the spoils when he sank a putt from 20 foot at the first extra hole.


CROMPTON and Royton’s Jordan Flint was a creditable joint 10th in the Powerade PGA Assistants Championship, North Region Qualifier, at Penwortham. Flint ended on 71, five behind winner Andrew Scrimshaw of Close House.