Juveniles off to winning start in shield
The first match for Banbridge was a home draw against Dunmurry. This inter-club competition is a perfect means of introducing young members to the intricacies of matchplay golf.
The seven games were played in a very sporting manner and the outcome could hardly have been closer.
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Hide AdPatrick Magennis was out first and he lost 3 and 2 (zero points).
Matthew Savage was well beaten, 7 and 5 (zero points).
This was a very inauspicious start for Banbridge and their team manager, Susan Magennis, was very worried, although she did her best not to show it.
Scott Nelson, although beaten 3 and 1, put the first point on the board for Banbridge by winning the second nine.
Callum Barnes played really well to win 4 and 2 and he contributed three points.
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Hide AdAfter four results were in, Dunmurry led by 12 points to four. There were only three games left and Banbridge needed to win all three. That was a big ask.
Michael Young did his bit when he won by 2 up and he got three and a half points.
Thomas Magennis played very solidly and he won a tight match by 2 and 1. Thomas also got three and a half points.
With one result to come in, Dunmurry led 13-11. The large crowd around the eighteenth green held their breath.
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Hide AdYoung Matthew Jamison showed maturity beyond his years to win his game 2 and 1 and he got a brilliant par at the final hole to get an extra half point. Matthew got three and a half points and that meant that Banbridge had won by the narrowest of margins.
The final score was: Banbridge 14.5 Dunmurry 13.5.
The next match for Banbridge in the Craigavon Shield is away to Edenmore. That should be fun.