The 2nd round of Men’s Pennants was played on Sunday morning. Play started in perfect conditions around Auckland, ironic considering the weather and Covid announcement that came later. The
Bissett Shield team was at home to Pakuranga and gained some level of control early in the first nine holes – solid leads to Rakesh Patel, Kahu Tataurangi, Robby Turnbull and Tomas Shaw. Rakesh (6/5), Kahu (6/4) and Robby (7/5) all recorded early wins to give us the upper hand. Tomas added to this with a 2/1 win, and he was quickly followed by Bailey Smith (4/3) and Matthew Cormack (3/1). At the end a very good 6-2 win, to give us 10pts after 2 matches. Other results are still not in, so we play Akarana at home this Sunday (hopefully!).
Our Championship 1 team (Bissett Reserves) were at Maungakiekie in Round 2 after an excellent 6-2 win over Pukekohe at Remuera in Round 1. Thomas Neylon, back in the team after missing most of last year, won his first match convincingly 6/4. However, this wasn’t the biggest win of the day – Andrew Meng and Eamon Wairepo recorded huge 9/7 wins! The other matches were closer, but most were wins for Remuera – Logan Driver 2/1, Jaime Lansi 2up, Chris Goad 2/1 and Andrew Hipkiss the half. James Flay, playing his first Senior Pennant match, lost 6/4. After 2 rounds this team has 12.5pts and leads the division by 2pts from Windross Farm, whom we meet this Sunday at Remuera (Covid permitting!)
The Championship 2 team were at home against Titirangi (always a strong club in Men’s Pennants). Alex Bagley got the team off to a good start, winning 6/4. His playing partner, William Kelly, was next to finish – winning 3/2. The other winners on the day were Max Clarke (his first match) by 2/1 and Brett Geyer by 3/2. These 4 wins were then supported by 2 hard-earned halves from Daniel Whittaker and Peter McCormack. Peter deserves special mention as he was 5 down at one point, but teed off the last hole with a 1up lead. Unfortunately, a bogey on the last, after getting in the fairway bunker, meant he had to settle for a half. The losses to Steve Callinan and Finlay McKechnie were narrow 2/1s. They are definitely in contention with 8pts after 2 rounds in a very close division.
The Inter Club teams struggled away from home after winning starts at Remuera in Round 1. The Inter Club 2 team lost 2.5-5.5 to Maramarua at Maramarua. WIns to JitsDoolabh (2/1) and John Etzine (1up). John Etzine had to shoot 76 to win this one! The half came from Darren Soo. Two of the losses were very close, so they will have their chance for revenge in the next few weeks. Inter Club 3 were at Titirangi and only Erik Jorgensen (Senior), in his first Pennant match recorded a win. Mike Hyams got the half, but 4 of the losses were fairly convincing. The team need a much better performance this weekend to get themselves back into contention for the semi-finals. Other results have not been posted yet. The Inter Club 2 team are away to Pakuranga, and the Inter Club 3 team away to Pukekohe this Sunday.