Golf correspondent Michael Minty previews the semifinals of the metropolitan senior A pennants.
Otago Bombers v Otago B52s
Balmacewen
Callum Judkins v Will McLauchlan, Luke Murdoch v Mat Weir, Ben Patston v Lewis Harper, Duncan Croudis v Paul Hubbard, Brandon Hodgson v Andrew Hobbs, Ryan Rosevear v George Prendergast.
It’s 1-1 for 2024 between these two teams, with the B52s prevailing via a play-off in round two over the Bombers before the Bombers all but returned serve with a 5-1 spraying of their club-mates in the second half of the season.
Today on paper this match looks likely to be similar to the round two affair, with most of the games looking each-way prospects with only a couple of matches where you could lean towards certain players.
The B52s are and always will be the underdog and will relish that title, but as usual the pressure will come on Will McLauchlan, who has been the standout performer in the series.
A win over Callum Judkins will be key to their chances, as will Duncan Croudis and Luke Murdoch, who will be fancied to get the job done over Paul Hubbard and Mat Weir respectively. Therefore, if the B52s can get one win from these games then they could well be in the box seat.
The remaining games could go either way depending on who gets the rub of the green on the day.
Given the Bombers have a couple of strong chances to clinch games you have to side with them to get the job done in a tight one, 3½-2½. A playoff would be the next best bet and with the B52s likely to send out McLauchlan, the odds may swing.
St Clair Saints v Chisholm Links
St Clair
Jacob Bellamy v Mike Weastell, Logan Clarke v Jason Pegler, Parker Aluesi v John McIntee, Connor Howes v Blair Liffiton, Jakob Bleach v Kai Koni, Cody McMullan v Luke Worthington.
It’s been a long time between drinks for the Saints, who have barely missed top-two qualifying for the best part of 20 years, yet it’s been nine since they last won a senior title. They’ve finished top of the ladder, so is this their year?
They must get past a tricky old affair on paper against Chisholm Links, who, although a distant fourth qualifier, have the ability to spring the odd upset and their best chances may lie within the top order.
Should Mike Weastell and Jason Pegler beat Jacob Bellamy and Logan Clarke, the odds of them heading to Balmacewen next week may be in their favour .
Saints look strong chances in the Jakob Bleach and Parker Aluesi matches, while the others could go either way.
The Links will be hoping some of last week’s wind returns — it was a fortnight ago the Saints struggled to put away Island Park in blustery conditions which proved to be a great leveller.
However, conditions look settled and so does the result, with a 4-2 result looking like the outcome.
