Bann hopeful of overturning defeat in Sunday's home leg

Gary McCormick (left) helped Neil Diamond to a half match while Gordon Haire (right) finished just two holes down alongside Peter Hillen.

Peter Hillen took his Sam Rutherford Cup team to Lisburn last Saturday and secured a delightfully narrow defeat.

It was the first leg of their first round match.

This competition is played using the greensomes format and the score is counted by holes up.

The idea is, away from home, to keep the holes down to single figures. That is always a good result.

Malcolm Russell and Cathal O’Neill, in the top game, lost by three holes.

Rory McMullan and Martin McAleenan both played superb golf to get a half match.

Gary McCormick and Neil Diamond did likewise for another half match.

Peter Hillen and Gordon Haire finished a mere two holes down.

So, overall, Lisburn lead by five holes up at the halfway stage.

The second leg will be played at Banbridge next Sunday. Banbridge are in a very strong position and they should go on to win.

But golf matches don’t always go to plan. Just ask Sydney Pepper or any of the Des Gregg Memorial Cup team.

ROSSMORE CUP

Danny O’Boyle took his Rossmore Cup team to Kilkeel last Sunday for the second leg of their second round match.

The home leg had finished level, 2-2, so the advantage certainly was with Kilkeel.

The weather was horrendous. The heavy rain made play very difficult. After a few holes, everyone and everything were soaking wet.

Kilkeel managed to cope better than the Banbridge men.

Andrew Burns and John McCormac lost 3 and 2.

Danny O’Boyle and Kenny Baines lost 2 down.

John Crozier and Robbie Haire lost 3 and 2.

It was all over. Kenny Arlow and P.J. Johnston were heading for defeat and were happy to walk in. It was a dismal end for Danny and his Rossmore Cup team. They had high hopes but they were washed away at Kilkeel.