Wins for Lisburn teams and Kelso clings to top spot

As expected, the club’s Ulster Fourball squad progressed with victory over Temple. They team got off to a great start with the two pairings of Michael Rooney & Martin McDonald and Alan Gilmore & Philip Stewart both winning their matches on the 12th green. This clinched the tie and with the rain getting heavier, the remaining matches were called in. The young Ronan Rafferty team had an excellent 7 – 3 victory over Ashfield. Spencer Pinion, Ben McCambley and Ross Morrow had easy victories while Josh Hamilton and Josh Clarke were narrowly beaten. Meanwhile, the Fred Daly team made the long journey to Ballybofey and did well to win three matches thanks to Kyle Patton, Aaron Marshall and Josh Robinson. The Pierce Purcell team played in the qualifying round at Ormeau. The nine hole course was playing very long and there were hold-ups on most tees. In the damp and cold conditions, steady play from Brian Houston aided by Ivor Walker’s excellent chipping produced a round of 81 which was one of the best scores of the day. Colin Hill and Barry McQuillan shot 87. Two scores of 93 from Cecil Crawford & Joe McCullough and Tommy Beattie & Glenn McCambley gave Lisburn a total of 354 which was just two behind fourth placed Warrenpoint. CLUB COMPETITIONS The summer-like conditions on Saturday enabled 18 competitors to score 37 or more points in the Mary Peters Trust competition. Gary Campbell (6) won with 40 points. Six players finished on 39: Robert McKinnon (12), Matt Lyness (5), Ian Shane (25), Simon Holmes (6), Piers McMillen (12) and Gavin Hawkins (14). Robert was second with Matt third on count-back. May Day Open: 1st John Kelso 41pts, 2nd Peter Clerkin 39pts, 3rd Joshua Hamilton 37pts. Juveniles Stableford: 1st Ben Moore 46pts, 2nd Conor Heasley 43pts, 3rd Dylan Leathem 42pts. Wednesday Stableford: 1st Stephen Orr 41pts, 2nd ErnieTaylor 39pts, 3rd Ivor McCandless 37pts.