The final report and as requested there will be no I’s or we’s.   It was finals days day at Maungakiekie and Remuera were playing Titirangi who had beaten them soundly in the round robin.  Because of the number of teams participating RGC’s match was starting at the 15th, a  little downhill par 3 with water at the front. 

The team looked resplendent in their new plaid pants  and were quietly confident.  After 3 holes the team were leading 6/2 with Cahi having made 3 birdies in a row.  After 6 holes it was 5 ½ /2 ½ to RGC.  At this point Peter Cahi played the shot of the day.  At the longish uphill par 4 Peter’s opponent put his second 3 feet from the pin.  However Peter then played a low drawing stinger which landed at the front right of the green and then ran on to 12 inches past.  His opponent conceded the birdie and then proceeded to miss his 3 footer. Peter is 5 under the card after 6 and is 6 up on the match.  His opponent is despondent. 

Maungakiekie have brought 6a into play.  It is a shortish uphill par 3.  At this hole Peter Cahi wins 8/7 and RGC is leading 5/3.  Cam Mackenzie is leading by 5 and James Ashwin is leading by 4.  However Manu Taylor is down by 3.   Ian Braddock had been 3 down but has pulled it back to 1 down.  The pressure is beginning to mount.

After 13 holes had been played Cam Mackenzie had a 6/5 win and James Kim was dormie 5 up.  Ian Braddock was now 1 up.  It was 7/1 to RGC. 

After 15 holes it had changed to 4 confirmed wins (James Kim 6/4 and James Ashwin 4/3).  Still it was in the balance with Ian Braddock now flat, Manu 2 down, Mado 1 down and only Dell Bain up. 

Ian plays the 16^th for a win and then heads up the 17^th.  Manu and Dell then play the 16^th for a loss to Manu (3/2) and a loss for Dell to go 1 up.  Mado plays the 16^th for a half.  The message then comes through….Ian has won the 17^th to win 2/1.  RGC have won the finals with 2 matches still live. 

Mado loses on the 17^th to go down 2/1.  However Dell being the Scotsman as he is wants to play a full round of golf, so ensures he is 1 up with I to play.  A fine par ensures a 2 up win. 

The final score is RGC 6, Titirangi 2.  A well deserved win. 

Managers comment.  I would like to thank the whole squad for their efforts this year.  It has been a long and hard season and we seem to have been plagued by injury.  However we have stuck it out and have been rewarded with I think only the second pennant since 1990.  The club deserve special thanks for their support with practice facilities and balls.  Sponsors are very important and we appreciate all the support from Puma and Powerade. 

The squad philosophy we adopted this year worked extremely well and it was great that Rosco Valentine,  Matty Cormack, Mike Smith,  James Eng and Chris Thomas from the Bissett team acted as caddies on the day.  Special thanks to Lucy Eng for her lolly bags and for caddying for James Kim.  Geoff Burns overcame his man flu and brought Ian Braddock home.    

Finally I would like to thank all the supporters who turned up on the day.  Your presence meant a lot to the team.