Glenelg's David Heirn in action in Round 1
For the third year in a row, on their home track, Highercombe has started the season with a solid win, this time defeating Blackwood 5.5 – 1.5.
After having defeated The Grange first up in 2012 and defending champions Tea Tree Gully last season, Highercombe are again off to a flyer.
In the contest of the round, The Grange defeated reigning premiers Kooyonga 5.5-1.5, Royal Adelaide accounted for Tea Tree Gully 5.5-1.5 and The Stirling defeated Glenelg 4-3.
Highercombe gained the upper hand early with wins to number 7 Kane Parry over Geordie Golding 3&2 and number 6 Andrew Couzner over Ben Winton 2up.
Despite Blackwood’s middle order showing some resistance with Matthew Monsma squaring and Nicholas Wake winning 6&5, Highercombe’s Scott Mills, Nick May and Mark Deacon all had comfortable victories over Munn, Tobin and Humphries respectively.
The Grange controlled its battle with Kooyonga from the onset with Andre Na winning the 7th match over Jordan Bishop 3&2.
Jason Cocks kept Kooyonga in the match winning over Ben Tucker 1 Up, before Grange’s State players took charge winning matches 2 through 5.
Both Ben Stowe and Jack Williams won their matches 4&3 over John Hayes and Tim Baker respectively, while Matthew Lisk defeated Daniel Speirs 2up and Justin Crowder won over Heath Riches 1up.
Anthony Murdaca potentially playing his only match of the season due to a 2 month stint in the US, halved with the promising Will Somerfield to take The Grange to 5.5 matches versus 1.5.
Royal Adelaide will be delighted with its first up 5.5-1.5 win over Tea Tree Gully. Nathan Baulderstone set the tone early winning the first match of the contest over Norm Cordina 1up.
Matt Lawson, Billy Cawthorne, Andrei Ezergailis and Patric Kroschel were also all victorious while the lone winner for The Gullies at number one was Chris Austin over Louis Fuller 5&3.
The halved match was between Aaron Southern and Sam Burton.
In the close contest of the round, The Stirling overcame Glenelg 4-3 after trailing 2-3.
Kym Rivett and Brad Altman were early winners for The Stirling over James Bridgen and Henry Duregon 2&1 and 3&2 respectively before Leigh Attenborough, Matthew Overall and David Hiern claimed 3 match in a row for Glenelg.
Former Country Champion Tim Atze squared the contest defeating Josh Hayes 2 &1 and at number one Tyron Turnbull gained the crucial fourth match 4&2 over Campbell Rawson, giving The Stirling a dream start to the season.
Next week’s round two matches are held at Tea Tree Gully with the host side set for an enthralling contest with neighbours Highercombe.
In other matches, The Stirling do battle against Blackwood and Kooyonga play Glenelg with both sides looking to respond. The match between Royal Adelaide and The Grange should be a tight battle.
For all results and draws > click here for the Pennant Competition main page.
For a PDF version of Simpson Cup Results > click here
Round 2 (25th May at Tea Tree Gully GC)
1st Tee 11.15 am Royal Adelaide v The Grange
10th Tee 11.15 am The Stirling v Blackwood
1st Tee 12.10 pm Tea Tree Gully v Highercombe
10th Tee 12.10pm Kooyonga v Glenelg