The Dunedin Metropolitan golf pennants have reached the semifinals stage. Otago Daily Times correspondent Michael Minty looks at the two match-ups.
B52s v Bombers
Balmacewen
The rub: It’s an all-Otago affair and a repeat of last year’s final in what will be bittersweet for the club — knowing it will at least have a team in the final but not a guaranteed victor, as was the case last year.
The Bombers came out on top in that fixture but the gap between the two teams is now next to nothing with the B52s securing a win and a half over the Bombers during round robin.
While no match is a given, the tail-enders look to play a key role in this fixture.
Two of the competition’s form players meet in Andrew Hobbs (B52s) and Luke Murdoch at No 5.
Hobbs admits he’s had a bit of luck this season but results don’t lie, while Murdoch is back playing some of his best golf since his university days.
Schoolboy Lewis Harper (B52s) has nothing to lose and experience to gain against Ben Patston at No 6, which could be a slippery game for the former North Otago rugby Meads Cup winner.
The B52s look very strong in the middle order and would be fancied to earn the bulk of their points through Tom Lee over Duncan Croudis and Chris Snow over Dylan Stock.
But both Bombers players are coming off some decent performances and if they can secure a win here, there could be a massive momentum swing.
The Bombers arguably look stronger at the top with Brandon Hodgson and Callum Judkins taking on Steve Horn and Matt Weir respectively — they will fancy their chances of adding two wins for the Bombers if needed.
Saints v Taieri Lakes
St Clair
The rub: Both the Saints and Taieri Lakes have had a fortnight to contemplate the round 10 result in favour of the Saints — who should start favourites despite the ledger being 1-1 for the season.
Typically, home advantage plays a key role, even more so with both teams at full strength.
Matt Tautari is back at No 1 for the Lakes, but it remains to be seen whether his body holds up against Ryan Bellamy after some rigorous physio treatment to see him right for the match.
Taieri Lakes is again banking on veteran tail-enders Ken Shaw and Mark Andrews to get off on the right foot against Matt Crawford and Cody McMullan respectively — both look fairly even on paper and look each-way chances.
The Saints look strong in the middle with Tony Giles up against the vastly improved Jaxon Boyes, who will be looking for another big-name scalp, while Jacob Bellamy’s nomadic role sees him slot in at No 4 against Matt Mercer.
Saints No 2 Parker Aluesi — voted the form player of the series in a recent online poll — faces Ryan Rosevear, which could prove to be match-defining for the Lakes given the No 1 battle between Tautari and Bellamy looks even, especially with Tautari rating himself 80% fit.
The final will either be played at St Clair or Balmacewen next Sunday pending results.
