A minor upset, a default and a hard-fought victory via a playoff for the leaders headlined round 8 of the metropolitan senior A pennant series, played in beautiful autumn conditions on Saturday.
The Otago B52s sprung somewhat of an upset on third-placed Chisholm Links at the beach to leap frog Links into third position while the Otago Bombers and St Clair Saints both kept their places on the ladder in vastly different fashion.
The Bombers remain in second behind the Saints no thanks to a default from Island Park who only had two players available.
Metro’s default rules only allow a 3.5-2.5 result — a strange result particularly for Island Park who may have struggled to win a game at Balmacewen.
At Taieri Lakes, Jake Bleach played a huge hand in Saints remaining unbeaten — eagling the first playoff against Blair Bennett with a long putt.
Up until that point the momentum was with the visitors.
Wins to Logan Clarke, Conner Howes and Bleach secured three games early.
Hayden Robertson earned the Lakes first win before Mark Andrews claimed the prized scalp of Parker Aluesi at No1 before a final-hole victory from Blair Bennett over Albie Reed leading to the playoff.
At Chisholm Links, the B52s now look in prime position to secure one of two remaining playoff spots after a 4-2 victory over a Chisholm side missing half of their regular team.
And it proved costly with the B52s cleaning up in the middle and tail order with Andrew Hobbs, Brian Helton, Lewis Harper and Riki Bush all securing wins and the team victory, while Jason Pegler and Mackenzie Gibson add a couple of valuable games to the Link’s season tally.
By Michael Minty
