The Point at Polzeath and Launceston emerged victors yesterday as the first twin set of Winter Knockout Finals took place at an excellently prepared St Enodoc GC. After a season of disruptions, the weather was considerably kinder than of late and forecast. Wind proved a constant factor but predominantly dry sunny conditions prevailed although intermittently interrupted by heavy squalls.

In the first of the finals The Point at Polzeath were pitted against Frank Wills Salver holders Perranporth in a 36-hole match. At the halfway point The Point had their noses in front being up in three of the five matches and all square in one other. The fourth match saw Perranporth well in charge after a dominant performance as good as saw them over the line after just the 18 holes.

The afternoon however produced a fightback from Perranporth that left the result in the balance. In Match 1 the Perran pairing of Mike Norfolk and Graham Burn had been 2 down after 18 but they turned this around to run out 3&2 winners over Tony Bright and Jake Sanders. Match 4 came e to its inevitable conclusion as Perrans Gerry Whiteley and Martin Cleverley finished off brothers Steve and David Lehan, meaning Perranporth had two point in the bag. Cue two wins for The Point as Dan Witts and Joe Maude (3&2 over Kirk Razzell & Martin Edwards) and Scott Chandler and Josh Taylor (4&3 over Dan Hawkey and Ian McKechnie) tied things up.

 It was now all down to the final match on the course. Coming to the 15th The Point’s Shane Dingle & John Barnicoat were dormy 4 up and in the driving seat against James Cannicott and Lee Shenton. The Perran pairing made a great up and down to reduce the deficit by one and looked like they might do so again at the par5 16th. This was not to be though when they unfortunately failed to emerge from the greenside bunker first time round allowing The Point what had looked like an unlikely half and overall victory.

At the post match presentation St Enodoc General Manager Simon Greatorex welcomed both teams and paid tribute to their level of support, CGU Vice President Andrew Clotworthy congratulated both on reaching the final and thanked St Enodoc for their hospitality. Both Captains thanked St Enodoc for making their course available for the final. Simon Andrew for Perranporth congratulated The Point on their win and for the very sporting manner in which the match had been played. He thanked his team for their achievement saying he was very proud of them all. Steve Lehan equally thanked Perranporth and finished by expressing his delight that a small club such as The Point had a great team spirit and support enabling them for the second time in three years to punch above their weight and secure the victory. Greatorex and Clotworthy presented the prizes.

By the time the Frank Wills Final was over Launceston, who had lost in last year’s Cornish Bowl final, had exorcised that demon and won against Truro by a 3.5  - 1.5 margin. The final score did not really reflect the close nature of their 18 hole match as three of the five games came up the demanding 18th hole.

First blood went to the winners pairing of Noel Gorman and Peter Penhorwood as they beat Paul Kitley and Mike Nightingale 3&2. For Truro Matt Salmon and Martin Bennett restored parity with a 1 up win over Joe Dickinson and Chris James before Launceston’s Ernie Best and Derek Basford beat David Ealing and Mark Roddis by the same score. Now 2-1 to Launceston. At much the same time Launceston’s Dan Sloman and Darren Chapman beat Roger Hoare and Stewart Nicholas 5&3 to give their team the overall win. In the final match Truro’s Karl Martin and Tom Hatfield took an honourable half with Ashley Rowland and Steve Greenaway.

Simon Greatorex welcomed both teams before he and Andrew Clotworthy presented the prizes. Both clubs were praised for the tremendous level of support which accompnaied the matches. Both competing clubs were generous in their praise of the host club. For Truro Club Captain Simon Bray was very magnanimous in defeat and praised Launceston expressing how good it had been to see the manner in which both teams conducted themselves throughout. Launceston Captain Paul Hicks was clearly very happy to have gained the victory and paid tribute to the opposition as well as lauding his own team for their success after the previous year’s disappointment.

Frank Wills The Point at Polzeath v Perranporth - Final Result

Cornish Bowl Truro v Launceston - Final Result

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