Nest pair dominate opening Alliance

Crosland Heath’s David Ford didn’t even make it to the first tee, dislocating his shoulder while warming up.

That left Rob Booth, one of last winter’s star performers, to go it alone, and he led in the clubhouse on 42 points for a long time.

But he had no chance of beating Crow Nest Park’s Gareth Evans and Mark Campbell (8), who were in stunning form.

The pro-am pair, no strangers to success in these events, notched 47 stableford points for a clear-cut victory.

Evans had only played three rounds of competitive golf this year but still managed eight birdies and an eagle.

The second best score of the day was the 44 from Meltham’s Simon Race and Roy Johnson (17), helped by Johnson’s nett eagle on short 16th.

In third place were Nigel Hirst and Fergus Barron (3) of Dewsbury on 43 points. Long-serving club pro Hirst eagled the fourth and Barron had a nett eagle on the 13th.

There was excellent support from the professionals with 12 in a small field of 35 pairs.

The am-am honours went to Ian Saxton (6) and Steve Hanley (17) of Meltham, who put together a very tidy card of 41 points.

They just held off the late challenge of Independent Huddersfield pair Pete Newey (14) and Phil Sellen (13), helped by a nett eagle from Sellen on the 17th.

Play was delayed by 10 minutes while the fog lifted enough to see the first bunker.

The earlier starters playing in very damp conditions with heavy air were at a slight disadvantage as the mist cleared after a couple of hours and the afternoon was warm and sunny.

The course was in excellent condition, the greens especially so, being receptive, smooth and fairly fast.

The next Alliance is at Dewsbury District Golf Club on Thursday, 15 October.

SCORES - Pro-am: 1, G.Evans Pro & M.Campbell 8 (Crow Nest Park) 47 pts; 2, S.Race Pro & R.Johnson 17 (Meltham) 44; 3, N.P.Hirst Pro & F.Barron 3 (Dewsbury) 43; 4, R.Booth Pro & D.Ford 20 (Crosland Heath) 42; 4, J.Ward Pro & D.Hartley Scr (Dewsbury) 42; 4, D.Chapman Pro & S.Spencer 16 (Outlane) 42; 7, J.Lester Pro & O.Shaw 5 (Bradley Park/Crosland Heath) 39; 8, D.Arber Pro & J.Dix 5 (West End) 38; 8, T.Pollard Pro & M.Appleyard 6 (Bradley Hall) 38; 10, T.Wild Pro & G.Ward 8 (Bradley Park) 36; 11, J.Pearcey Pro & T.McGarrell 19 (Ind. Huddersfield/Bradley Park) 35; 12, R.Lambert Pro & R.T.Owen 14 (Crosland Heath) 33.

Am-am: 1, I.Saxton 6 & S.Hanley 17 (Meltham) 41; 2, P.Newey 14 & P.Sellen 13 (Ind. Huddersfield) 40; 3, R.Wilson 16 & E.Sechi 16 (Outlane) 39; 3, L.Dyson 15 & M.Travis 6 (Crosland Heath) 39; 3, R.Wimpenny 11 & S.Whitham 14 (Crosland Heath) 39; 6, E.Casper 11 & J.Morris 20 (Outlane) 38; 6, M.Maude 4 & J.Crosland 9 (Meltham) 38; 6, A.Crum 1 & J.Main 17 (Dewsbury) 38; 9, D.Phare 18 & L.Phare 10 (Outlane) 37; 9, J.Smith 14 & A.Mellor 13 (Outlane/Longley Park) 37; 9,

P.Heywood 9 & K.Bruce 18 (Marsden) 37; 12, P.Sykes 20 & B.Hesseldon 17 (Outlane) 36; 12, T.Hirst 14 & N.Sanders 9 (Bradley Hall) 36; 14, R.T.Wiliams 13 & R.Pearson 17 (Bradley Park) 35; 14, D.Knapton 12 & P.Reynolds 13 (Outlane) 35; 14, P.Walker 6 & P.Tatlock 20 (Outlane) 35; 17, M.Russell 19 & E.Pearson 19 (Crosland Heath) 34; 18, R.Badrock 14 & C.Burton 9 (Castlefields) 33; 18, M.Wood 11 & M.Rooney 10 (Crow Nest Park) 33; 20, D.Brooke 20 & K.Pendelbury 13 (Outlane) 32; 20, H.Bailey 17 & E.Pearson 20 (Dewsbury) 32; 22, B.Moroney 16 & R.Challoner 12 (Outlane/Elland) 31; 23, R.P.Johnstone 13 & D.Oldham 12 (Meltham) 29.