Golf: Fightback helps Conwy beat Bayonet rivals

Jan 22 2009 By Tim Channon

LEE JONES produced an outstanding fightback as Conwy A completed a 4-1 double over defending champions Royal St David’s (Harlech) and took a huge stride towards lifting the Division One title in the Bayonet Winter Scratch Golf League.

Although he has still not fully recovered from a knee ligament injury, Lee came from four down after just seven holes in the windy conditions to beat Welsh international Jamie Howie on the 18th.

He sank a 30-foot putt on the eighth to stop Howie going five up and started his fightback which culminated in a six-footer on the 16th to go all square and he then won both the 17th and 18th to win 2 up.

Mark Ellison beat Lancashire county regular Michael Hunt 2 and 1, with key bridies at the 12th and 16th, and Nick Lofthouse sank a 25-foot putt for a remarkable birdie on the 17th to clinch a 2 and 1 win.

Gareth Williams was in good form to win 5 and 4.

Scores: Mark Ellison bt Michael Hunt 2 and 1, Lee Jones by Jamie Howie 2 up, Gareth Williams bt Geraint Jones 5 and 4, Nick Lofthouse bt Ken Hudson 2 and 1, Steve Evans lost to Llion Kerry 3 and 2.

That win has put Conwy seven points clear at the top of the table.

Second-placed North Wales lost 4-1 at Holyhead, who are now just two points behind them with two matches in hand.

Marco Spacone got the Llandudno team’s only win.

Scores (Holyhead names first): Mark Parry lost to Marco Spacone 1 down, Aled Williams bt Nigel Roberts 2 up, Mark Purdue bt Louie Middlehurst 2 and 1, David Williams bt Dan Roberts 6 and 5, Chris Pratt bt Evans Griffiths 3 and 1.

Royal St David’s are now fourth.

Conwy B strengthened their grip at the top of Division 2 with a 3-2 win in severe winds at Bull Bay.

Scores (Bull Bay first) Ian Norgain bt James Tottey 1 up, Sion Thomas lost to Iain Hayes 2 and 1, Dave Parry lost to Adrian Johnson 2 and 1, Richard Cowell bt Andy Walters 2 and 1, Ken Norgain lost to Steve Eardley 3 and 2..

Betws-y-Coed improved their position with 3½-1½ home win over St Deiniol (Bangor).

Scores: Marc Thomas halved with Tom Grime, David Hughes bt Nigel Malkin 4 and 3, Ian Roberts bt D Thomas 2 and 1, Mic Roberts bt R Williams 4 and 3, Andy Spencer lost to H Griffiths 3 and 1.

Maesdu, however, suffered a 4-1 defeat at Porthmadog A.

Their only winner was Ben Chadwick who came come from three down to win the last four holes.

More golf news and club results in this week’s Weekly News.