THE BGA League semifinals produced a thrilling climax at Chorley last weekend when Bolton and Old Links secured victories over Turton and Dunscar to book their places in Sunday’s final.
The Bolton-Turton result looked to be in doubt with Turton looking likely winners until a dramatic finish in the top match between Michael Hearn and former Bolton champion, Simon Moore, hung in the balance with Turton needing just a half point to go through.
However, Hearn had the opportunity to go one-up for Bolton on the par five 17th with two putts to win the hole. But he threeputted, and a half for Turton then looked certain.
Hearn chipped and putted for a par on the 18th leaving Moore no more than a two-feet putt for a half and a win for Turton.
Incredibly, he lipped out and the match went to a sudden death play-off which Hearn won at the first extra hole, leaving Moore distraught and the Bolton team victorious.
Old Links ended Dunscar’s hopes with a 5½ - 2½ win but it was far from comfortable until the middle order matches turned in their favour.
In an intense battle between scratch players Rob Middleton (Dunscar) and David Jones (Old Links) the match was all square on the 18th tee.
And when Jones was bunkered with Middleton comfortably on the green, Dunscar became favourites.
Jones played out to eight feet and holed the putt to secure the half that Old Links needed for victory.
The game between former Bolton champion Gareth Hastie and reigning champion Liam Ball produced some scintillating golf with eight birdies between them but it was Ball who came through with a 2 & 1 win.
The final is to be played at Turton on Sunday starting at 11am.
Results Dunscar 2½ Old Links 5½ (Dunscar names first) Matt Smith (9) beat David Ahern (9) by 1 hole, Simon Whittam (8) lost to Duncan Simm (6) 1 hole, James Tuck (5) lost to Richard Powter (4) 4&2, Neil Hazzleton (4) lost to Martyn Price (2) 4&3, Darren Hall (3) lost to Matt Taylor (1) 1 hole, Andy Taylor (1) bt Matt Buckley (1) 1 home, Rob Middleton (Scr) halved with Dave Jones (Scr), Gareth Hastie (+1) lost to Liam Ball (Scr) 2&1.
Bolton 4 Turton 4 (Bolton names first) Aaron Harper (3) bt Steve McDermott (8) 1 hole, Mick Schofield (3) lost to Billy Dempsey (6) 1 hole, Andy Neill (3) bt Steve Greenhough (6) 6&4, Mike Lay (3) lost to Andy Hurst (6) 3 & 2, John Maree (3) bt Gary Myerscough (5) 3&2, Sam Greenhalgh (2) lost to Mark Rothwell (4) 6&4, Rob Taylor (Scr) lost to Andrew Brindle (3) 5&3, Michael Hearn (Scr) bt Simon Moore (3) 1 hole.
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