Seniors duo rise to the challenge at Cowdray Park

COWDRAY PARK seniors' captain Bill Hummerston and vice-captain Allen Sibley latest monthly challenge came from recent Stableford winner Graham Evans and consistent veteran Des White.

The challengers won the first two holes but their success was shortlived as the captains parred the next seven holes to reach the turn two up. The challengers had to concede a 4&3 defeat on the 15th.

The captains have level the series and may now prove difficult to beat for other challengers.

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The Mary How Trust benefitted by the donation of £10 from the beaten pair.

Cowdray Park travelled to Lindfield for the first round of the Cyril Blake Trophy, Sussex’s premier club team event, with the winners facing an away tie at Mid Sussex. Despite atrocious weather, the visitors came out on top by 3-1.

The lead match saw Dave Hirons and Allen Sibley force a half on the final green despite conceeding a shot. Two 5&4 wins came from Brian Dormer and Mick Fillary and Phil Cummins and John Doran.

The final match featuring David Heard, who played with a bad back, and Harvey Terry resulted in another half to secure the 3-1 win.

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The Cowdray Park seniors’ winter singles competition for the Sandell Trophy has finally been settled. The final, featuring octogenarian Bill McGregor and Mike Hancock, as it did two years previously, culminated in another close finish.

Gradually the steady play of McGregor, using his shots in hand cannily, established a three-hole lead with only three holes left. Then Hancock found his true form and won the final three holes to tie the match and send it to the 19th, where McGregor again received a shot.

McGregor reached the green in three, which proved too much for Hancock, who conceded.

Cowdray Park seniors hosted their latest inter-club match against Ifield, who fielded a very strong side.

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The home side put up a stirring performance and ran out 7-1 winners.

The weather was unpleasant but the course was in excellent condition.

Match manager and seniors’ vice-captain Allen Sibley teamed up with captain Bill Hummerston to give the home side a solid start with a 4&2 win. Hummerston’s new putter sank putts from all parts of the green.

Cowdray’s largest wins came from Dave Hirons and John Start, who won 5&4, and Gordon Kendall and last-minute replacement Peter Burton, who won 6&5.

The win maintained Cowdray Park’s unbeaten home record.

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Results (Cowdray names first): Allen Sibley & Bill Hummerston beat Fred Mitchell & Dave Christensen 4&2; David Tilley & George Crouch beat Dale Gates & Martin Barham 4&3; Brian Brockhurst & Barry Overington beat Brian Holden & Graham Cole 2&1; Graham Evans & Bill Brownlee lost to Chris Veal & Geoff Short 2&1; Dave Hirons & John Start beat Neil Smith & Mike Korol 5&4; John Doran & Clive Strudwick beat Norman Kennard & Neil Carville 3&1; Chris Hoare & Maurice Watts beat Gerry Clements & Dick Walters 2&1; Gordon Kendall & Peter Burton beat John Mather & Rik February 6&5.

Cowdray ladies held a qualifying round for the Peugeot LGU coronation fours – a foursomes Stableford competition.

The winners were Mandy Lucking and Debbie Cheasley with 34 points. Wendy Street and Janice Leath were second with 33 and Barbara Parker and Stephanie Bevis third with 32. The winners go on to a regional final and if successful, they will go to St Andrews for the grand final.

Get all the news and results from around the local golf clubs in the Observer - out every Thursday