Central back on track, but GN struggle at Challenge Cup

AndrewVanderKnaap_GNGUCAPE TOWN (20 May 2015) – Central Gauteng terminated Western Province, while the South African Golf Association’s Junior Team and the South African Universities side (USSA) enjoyed success in the third round Challenge Cup Teams Tournament at Milnerton Golf Club on Wednesday.

Although Central Gauteng still have some work to do, the eight-man side showed incredible team spirit to rally after a second round loss to USSA and score a comprehensive 8.5 – 3.5 victory against the host union.

The defending champions dominated the Foursomes to lead 3 – 1 and capitalized with spirited performances in the Singles.

Rupert Kaminski set the tone for Central Gauteng when he whipped Carlo O’Reilly 5 & 4 and Neal Herman, Jason Rossiter, Werner van Wyk and Basil Wright persevered under pressure to notch four more points. Ryan Dreyer secured the half point when he took Sean Bradley to the 18th.

The SAGA Juniors scored a clean sweep in the Foursomes and reeled in five points in the Singles to whip Gauteng North 9 – 3.

Estiaan Conradie won 3 & 2, Caylum Boon beat Ruan Conradie 1-up, Luke Mayo triumphed 4 & 3, Matt Saulez gained a further point when he won 3 & 2 and Herman Loubser downed Albert Venter 4 & 2.

USSA’s eight man side faced a tough challeng in the Foursomes, but eked out a 2.5 – 1.5 lead against Presidents Team.

Anuerin Gounden beat Reinhardt Blaauw 3 & 2, Matthew Kiewitz defeated Zabastian de Jager 1-up and Sentanio Minnie halved with Ryan Lane added to the Presidents Team’s tally, but Stephen Morrison, Marco Loubser, Andrew van der Knaap, Jason Smith and Teaghan Gauche all came up trumps to carry USSA to an 8 – 4 victory.

With two rounds to play, the SAGA Juniors are well positioned at the top of the log with four points and 23 game points, but USSA and Central Gauteng are not lurking far behind.

USSA has 20.5 games points in hand, and the defending champions are just three games points off the pace.

THIRD ROUND LOG
(Pos-Union-Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-Points-Matches won)
1 SAGA Juniors (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 23.0)
2 USSA (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 20.5)
3 Central Gauteng (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 20.0)
4 Western Province (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 16.5)
5 Gauteng North (3, 1, 0, 2, 2, 16.5)
6 Presidents Team (3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 11.5)

PHOTO – USSA’s Andrew van der Knaap from Gauteng North; credit Geoff Love.