Tight at the top at Challenge IPT

The third round match between the SAGA Juniors and defending champions Central Gauteng ended in a 6-all draw and the two teams continue to share the top spot on the log for the third successive day at this year’s SA Challenge Inter-Provincial.

Both teams claimed two games each in the foursomes at Maccauvlei Golf Club and traded blows in the ensuing singles. Central looked to have the advantage, but Springbok Jason Froneman beat Matthew Spacey 3 & 2 in the last game to square the match.

With two rounds remaining, the teams share pole on five points and 21.5 game points.

In the day’s other matches the Western Province moved into the third on the log after beating Gauteng North 6.5 – 5.5, and the President’s Team pushed the SA University side into last spot after an impressive 6.5 – 5.5 win.

The eight players representing the President’s Team were chosen on merit as the leading players of colour from all the provinces competing at the SA U-23 Inter-Provincial.

The players have had less than three weeks to prepare and had to get to know each other during the practice rounds. Team manager Greg de Doncker has been impressed with their commitment and determination.

“I’ve been very impressed with the team,” said manager Greg de Doncker. “The guys really played for each other, they gel well as a unit and they are very determined to do well in this competition.”
Meanwhile joint log leader Mpumalanga suffered a 3-9 drubbing by North West in the third round of the SA Country Districts Tournament, but the upcountry side hung on to their top spot in the A-Section log at Upington Golf Club.

Mpumalanga are two points clear of defending champions Free State and Northern Cape, who had a third round bye, with North West in third.

Fourth-placed KwaZulu-Natal failed to hold of Ekurhuleni, who celebrated a 6.5 – 5.5 result over the coastal team. However, the Gauteng East side will have pull out all the stops in the final two rounds to avoid the wooden spoon.

In the B-Section, Boland thrashed Karoo 10-2 and picked up two more points in their hunt for promotion. Demoted last year, the Winelands side head the log with six points and they hold a two point advantage over Karoo.

In the other matches, the Eastern Province defeated Limpopo 7.5 – 4.5 and Southern Cape downed Border 7-5.

Click HERE to view scores and log for the SA Challenge Inter-Provincial.

Click HERE to view scores and logs for the SA Country Districts Tournament.