Rd 7 Pennant Wrap – Men’s A1 ‘Simpson Cup’
Glenelg will play The Grange in the final of Golf SA’s A1 Men’s Pennant Competition the Simpson Cup, on Sunday 10 July at Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
Heading into Sunday’s final round, Glenelg had already booked its place in the final and a win over The Vines completed an unbeaten season, with six wins and a halve, making them deserved minor premiers.
The Grange sitting second and only two matches ahead of Kooyonga, had to win big, and their 6-1 score line over Southern, cemented their place in the final.
Kooyonga finished the season in third, Blackwood fourth, Southern fifth and Tea Tree Gully who lost three matches 4-3, finished sixth with 2.5 wins.
The Vines in its second consecutive season in the top grade since 2005, just avoided relegation once again finishing seventh, with two wins, ahead of Royal Adelaide who fell agonisingly short of a win in the final round to avoid relegation. They will now play in A2 in 2017.
Wrapping up the final round matches, Glenelg defeated The Vines 4.5-2.5.
Winners for Glenelg were Ben Hallam 5&3, Josh Hayes 2up, Sam Earl 3&1 and Anthony Olsen 4&2. Olsen finished the season undefeated with five wins and two halves.
If Michael Bruggeman from The Vines hadn’t picked up a halve against Ben Layton and Corey Apthorpe 3&2, and Tony Nobbs 1up, couldn’t muster a win, The Vines would have been relegated.
In other matches, Kooyonga comfortably defeated Blackwood 5-2 with Brennan, Bishop, Inglis, Somerfield and Riches getting the job done for Kooyonga. Unfortunately for the defending champions they fell three matches short of playing off in their fifth straight Grand Final.
The Grange didn’t take its foot off the pedal in its match, accounting for Southern 6-1 and now plays in its fourth straight final.
Grange players, C. Coleman, Webb, Thompson, Hendrick, Crowder and Lisk all had final round wins and would be quietly confident heading into the final after four wins in a row.
In the final match of the round, Tea Tree Gully and Royal Adelaide played out a halve, a contest Royal Adelaide had to win.
Matt Lawson and Scott Johnstone squared the number seven match, before Royal jumped ahead 2.5-0.5 courtesy of wins 2&1 to both Nathan Baulderstone and Will Arnold.
TTG hit back thanks to Nick May 5&4 and Matt McMahon 1up and then the ever reliable Chris Austin sunk Royal’s changes winning his sixth match at number one, 3&2 over Bill Cawthorne. Patric Kroschel defeated Sam Burton 1up but it was all too late for Royal.
Next week's Simpson Cup final hosted by Royal Adelaide, sees the minor Premier Glenelg looking for its 10th title and its first flag since 2003.
2014 Champions The Grange are gunning for its 23rd title.
When the sides met in round three, Glenelg triumphed 4-3, but in the final Glenelg will be without its spearhead Lachlan Barker (due to overseas playing commitments), which should ensure an even tighter contest. When the sides last met in a Grand Final in 2006, Grange triumphed 5-2.
For all results and draws > click here for the Pennant Competition main page.
For a PDF version of Simpson Cup Results > click here
Final (Sun 10th July at Royal Adelaide GC)
14th Tee 11.00 am Glenelg v The Grange