Crow Nest pair leave it late

After losing three of the first six meetings of the season to bad weather, players were treated to blue sky, sunshine, no wind and a dry course at last.

The large entry of 67 pairs including 14 professionals and 20-handicapper Anthony Kendall from Longley Park had a hole­ in­ one with a six iron to the 12th.

There were also four gross eagles, two for Shepherd and one each for Gareth Evans and Steve Smith.

All greens were in play - some had been “ironed” to remove frost - and they were fast and generally true but play was from mats on the fairways to protect the turf.

Shepherd and one-handicapper Lander had 43 points from a very tidy card which included two eagles and four birdies.

Tied in second among the pro-am combinations were Toby Garrett and John Dearden (20) of Crosland Heath and Evans and Nick Day (8) of Crow Nest Park on 42 points.

Seymore and Atkinson (12) put those scores in the shade with 45 points, their card including one nett eagle and seven nett birdies.

In second were Jake Smith (14) and Andy Mellor (13) of Outlane with 42 points and a three-way tie for third, with 41 points, was resolved on a back six count back in favour of Chris Holmes (7) and Roy Johnson (16) of Meltham.

The next Alliance is at Meltham on Tuesday, March 8.