Jonathan and Ross rescue Senior Cowdy team

Banbridge, captained by Kieran Magennis, were drawn against Dungannon in the opening round.

The away leg was played at Dungannon last Friday. There are eight singles matches and each one is worth four points. That makes 32 points in total so, away from home, a score of 12 or over is considered quite respectable.

After a ding-dong contest, the Banbridge team emerged with 14 and a half points. This was a very satisfactory result, because, after nine holes, it did not look good at all.

Kieran’s men fought tooth and nail over the second nine and they are now favourites to progress.

Kenny Stevenson, the grandfather figure of the team, played well but only managed to get a half point off the Tyrone team’s number one.

Kieran Magennis, under the pressure of captaincy, drew a blank. That was a bit of a surprise.

Neil Madeley, the man in form at the moment, got one point.

At this stage, Dungannon lead 10.5 to 1.5. There were worried faces all around.

Trust Rory Madeley to change the situation. He got two points.

And better still from Trevor Woods, who won his game and got three and a half points.

Paul McAleavey got a valuable half point.

Six results were in and Dungannon lead 16-8. This still wasn’t good for Banbridge. Could they not even reach double figures?

Everything depended on the deadly duo of Jonathan Burns and Ross McCandless in the final two games.

They are fierce competitors on the hockey pitch and they are equally fearless on the golf course. What a pair to have at the tail end of your team!

They rescued this match, big time. Jonathan got three points and Ross got three and a half.

The first leg ended: Dungannon 17.5, Banbridge 14.5.

It’s all to play for at Banbridge but you have got to fancy the local team.