JOHANNESBURG, 19 May 2016 – Gauteng North and Central Gauteng are deadlocked heading into the final round of the 2016 Challenge Cup, but the SAGA Juniors are still in the mix after fourth round action wrapped up at Parkview Golf Club on Thursday.

Gauteng North led the standings after three rounds, but the SAGA Juniors held the Daisies to a 6-all draw and that opened the door for Central Gauteng to take aim at a third victory in five years.

The 2012 and 2014 champions were on the back foot going into the Singles after USSA took a 3 – 1 lead in the Foursomes, but Central Gauteng showed a lot of heart to rally to a 7 – 5 victory.

Clayton Mansfield took down Keegan Steyn 6 & 4 to score the first point, but his triumph also marked the last game USSA would win in the afternoon session.

David Mcintyre turned the tide when he beat Andrew Plint 3 & 2 and then the rest of the team stepped it up. Kyle Barker, Jason Rossiter, Mohit Mediratta and Cameron Moralee all reeled in 2 & 1 victories to give Central Gauteng a 6 – 5 lead.

Tyrone Gibb was 2-down with two to play, but USSA’s Andrè van Zyl bogeyed 17 and 18 and the match was squared. Luke Jerling was 2-up with four to play, but Central’s Dylan Naidoo cut the lead one when he won the 15th hole. Jerling kept the lead through 16, but bogeyed 17 and the pair halved the match after both made par at the closing hole.

Meanwhile Western Province mounted a spirited comeback in the Singles to defeat the President’s Team 6.5 – 5.5 and claim their first points for the week.

Province starters Ruben van Zyl and Mujahid Agherdien won the first game out in the Foursomes, but the President’s team took the next three to lead 3 – 1.

Sentanio Minnie took them to 4 – 1 when he beat Paul Golditz 5 & 4, but Van Zyl stemmed the bleeding when he whipped Chandler Shaw 5 & 3. Franklin Manchest won 4 & 3 to pick up one more point for the President’s Team, but after that it was Province all the way.

Elmo Barnard downed Siyanda Mwandla 3 & 2, Mujahid Agherdien and Deon Germishuys both won 2 & 1 and Hayden Garcia knocked out Neswill Croy 1-up. Province was looking for a 7 – 5 result, but Karabo Mokoena spoiled the party when he birdied the closing hole to halve against Christian Helmbold.

Gauteng North will face off against the President’s Team, Central Gauteng take on Western Province and the SAGA Juniors will go head-to-head with USSA in Friday’s final round.

Gauteng North and Central Gauteng top the log with six points, while the defending champions are third with five points and USSA fourth with three points.

The President’s Team and Western Province both have two points, however, the President’s Team has 23 games points to Province’s 15.

Click HERE for results

Click HERE for log

PHOTO – Early start on the range for Gauteng North; credit Paul Davel