RED CLIFFS’ hopes of a Murray Darling Golf Association division 1 men’s finals berth remain alive, after a crucial 3-2 over Riverside on Sunday.
On their home course, Red Cliffs recorded their first win following three rounds of the competition, leading into a vital clash with Mildura this weekend.
After those sides halved their opening round contest both sides have a win, a loss and a half to their names after three rounds, with the winner this weekend at Mildura Golf Resort to take a vital lead heading into the fifth and final round.
Mildura went down 3-2 to ladder leaders Coomealla, who already have one foot in the door to qualify for the final and aim for back-to-back titles.
Red Cliffs captain Darryl Morgan said the Riverside result was an important one.
“That might have been it if we didn’t get across the line,” Morgan said.
“The last few weeks we haven’t been able to get a full side together, which has made it hard, but I think this week we should finally have that at our disposal.
“When you look at the teams on paper, there’s not a lot of difference, and I know we were mentioned as a favourite early, but all four clubs have got strong line-ups across the board.
“They’ve got some really consistent players. Ash Whitehouse and Cam Stewart are experienced in pennant but the rest of the side is very consistent and in pennant match play situations, that’s what you need.”
District Championship winner Dom Vartuli is set to return from a back issue that has kept him out of action for the past two rounds.
Morgan said Brad Steer’s come-from-behind victory over Riverside’s Steve Wilmann was an important result.
“Brad was down a couple against Steve early but was able to make it square heading into the last hole,” he said.
“Brad put a really good shot onto the green which allowed him to win the hole, which turned out to be a really crucial result for us.”
Morgan also praised the “exciting” new format, which sees first on the ladder play fourth and second play third this weekend.
Ladies division 1 also saw a tight result between Coomealla and Mildura, with the defending champions winning 3-2, however Red Cliffs got a solid victory on the board, with a resounding win over Riverside 4 1/2-1/2.
Three tight contests were held in men’s division 2, with all victorious sides scraping home by a single game.
Top three sides Robinvale, Riverside and Coomealla all made it home with 3-2 victories against Mildura, Red Cliffs and Merbein respectively, creating plenty of intrigue at the pointy end of the ladder before the final.
In Pool 1 of men’s division 3, Riverside and Mildura Gold came out on top, defeating Coomealla and Red Cliffs, with 3-2 and 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 victories respectively.
On the other side of the draw, Red Cliffs and Mildura Black both had wins which could prove important in the race to the flag.
The former got the better of Ouyen 4-1 while the latter defeated Robinvale 3-2.
Round 4 matches are at the Mildura Golf Resort on Sunday.
