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Sun September 05 2010
Semi-Final - Muswell Hill 4 Hendon 3
On a very warm day at Bush Hill Park our ladies were pitted against an unbeaten Hendon side in the morning semi-final. Captain Mandy Miller notched the first point with a ruthless display of pinpoint shots and deadly putting leaving her opponent somewhat bemused! In the second match Ruth Holmes uncharacteristically surrendered a four hole lead to lose on the 19th. Maureen Campbell was all square up after 18 and her match went into extra holes. Things weren't looking great for the girls when Pauline Dallman and Cathleen Hughes both lost on the 18th. Noreen Sullivan held her nerve to edge out her opponent on the 17th to make the score 2-3. With news that Mona Watters was ahead in the last match, all eyes turned to Maureen who was now playing the 3rd extra hole. Hendon looked to have gained the initiative after a wayward drive from Maureen, but a poor approach shot and a weak chip from the Hendon player left both ladies facing 20ft putts. Maureen calmly stroked her putt in and after her opponent shaved the hole with her attempt, the scores were tied up at 3-3. The focus of the ever-growing band of Muswell Hill supporters switched to Mona Watters who was dormie 2up playing the 17th. After her opponent went in the water with her second, Mona and her caddie Paul, calmly negotiated the pond and any trouble to secure a thrilling 4-3 win and a place in the final.
Final - Muswell Hill 4 Ealing 3
After the drama of the morning it was back to business in the afternoon. With Nora Smyth replacing Pauline Dallman, the final would be against Ealing, who like Hendon, were also unbeaten during their Pearsons' campaign. The lunchtime statement from the Middlesex officials that the play-off holes would be 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 13th was almost lost in the excitement of the impending duel. It would however become a talking point later in the day! Once again Captain Miller was quick out of the blocks. While her opponent struggled on the greens, Mandy was ramming them in from everywhere and an assured display gave the team a great start with a 5&4 victory against the Ealing No.1 and former County Captain, Noreen Barnes-Hoggett. A loss for Ruth Holmes capped a very frustrating day for her and with Maureen Campbell suffering from her exertions of the morning we were 2-1 down. Cathleen Hughes and Noreen Sullivan restored the lead with two solid performances leaving us just one point from victory. Mona was not having a good afternoon so it was left to Nora "Super Sub" Smyth to seal the deal. A birdie at the short 16th put Nora dormie 2up. With the Muswell Hill faithful in close attendance losses on 17 and 18 sent the match into extra holes. Cue the controversy! The decision to start any play-off on the 2nd was quickly reversed when the officials (mainly from Ealing!) realised that Nora would get a shot on the 2nd. Nora was not phased by the delay calmly hitting the green on the par 3 1st while her opponent found the greenside bunker. After leaving her first attempt in the bunker the Ealing player thinned her next shot which was destined for the 2nd fairway until the flagstick intervened leaving her a 20ft putt for a four. Nora looked in control or so we thought. Her first putt ran a few feet past the hole and unbelievably the Ealing player holed. The crowd could hardly believe it as Nora's par putt narrowly missed. The 2nd extra hole meant a shot for Nora. After two fine blows she was 50 yards from the green with her opponent struggling. Anywhere on the green would do. Nora decided to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats by hitting her approach into the greenside bunker and then as cool as you like, splashing out and holing the putt for the match!
What a game! What a result!
MUSWELL HILL PEARSONS' COUNTY CHAMPIONS 2010
Muswell Hill Golf Club, Rhodes Avenue, London, N22 7UT
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