Rotorua cement supremacy after battle with Tauranga

Craig Tiriana | 3rd March 2010

GOLF

Rotorua have cemented their place at the top of the Bay of Plenty Golf Association's men's championship pennant series with a hard-fought victory over Tauranga.

A 2.5 to 1.5 morning foursomes advantage proved decisive at Springfield Golf Club on Sunday as Rotorua won the first three singles matches out in the afternoon to gain control.

Halves to William Howard and William Newman secured the Rotorua win while No 2 Victor Janin scored a bonus win over Blair Murdock.

The battle of the No 1s was spectacular, with current New Zealand Foundation squad member Landyn Edwards and former national amateur champion Eddie Burgess chucking eagles and birdies at each other in a halved match. Both narrowly missed birdie putts on the final hole to force the winning issue.

Rotorua continue to lead the competition from Omanu and Mount Maunganui who both also remain unbeaten. Defending champions Mount scored a comfortable 10.5 to 3.5 win over Omokoroa. Omokoroa were helped with the return of Bay of Plenty representatives Ben Taylor and Kieran Muir.

Omanu beat Taupo 9 to 5.

The other match saw Whakatane gain their first win of the year over last year's Senior A champions Otumoetai 10 to 4.

* Bay of Plenty Golf Association Championship pennant provisional standings after round three at Springfield Golf Club -

Rotorua 30 (1), Mount 28.5 (2), Omanu 27.5 (3), Tauranga 24.5 (4), Whakatane and Taupo 14.5 (5), Springfield 10.5 (7), Otumoetai and Omokoroa 8 (8).