Wellington tipped for Otaki Cup win

Miramar manager Bill Cathie believes Royal Wellington have firmed as favourites to take out this year's Otaki Cup interclub golf title.

Royal Wellington lead the standings after Saturday's fourth round action at Hutt Golf Club.

With 33 1/2 points, they are 1 1/2 ahead of Miramar and 4 1/2 ahead of Shandon.

But Miramar still have the bye to come, leading Cathie to declareRoyal Wellington odds-on to finish top and Shandon favourites to claim the crucial second placing.

The loser of the 1 v 2 semifinal gets a second bite of the cherry, against the winner of the 3 v 4 match, in the playoffs for the Duncan Cup. "They'll win the Otaki Cup, there aren't too many ifs and buts about that," Cathie said of Royal Wellington.

"If we can whitewash Masterton in our last game, and we have a good day at the office against Royal Wellington next weekend, we may lob for second."

Miramar battled to a 8 1/2-6 1/2 win over Manor Park on Saturday.

Manor Park No1 Carl Tupangaia upset Peter Spearman-Burn 1-up in the top singles and Manor Park's tail wagged, halving the singles with a series of final hole wins.

Top women's player Lucy Davis, playing her first match in the men's competition for 2010, beat Steve Lyall 1-up in the bottom singles for a popular win. But Miramar had done enough in the morning foursomes to secure the tie.

Royal Wellington continued their winning form, despite the absence of three of their regular top-four players, proving too strong for the inexperienced Masterton team and winning 10 1/2-4 1/2.

In the other match, Shandon's in-form top order of Richard Pegg, Jonny Dittmer and James Donnelly fired them to an unconvincing 8 1/2-6 1/2 win over Paraparaumu Beach, which was enough to keep them in touch with Royal Wellington.

In the second division Waikanae Cup, Otaki, Wainuiomata and Judgeford should battle for the single spot for promotion in the playoff series.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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