Runaway wins for four teams

It is unusual to have four runaway wins in A-grade pennants, but that's what happened at Feilding yesterday.

The closest match came when defending champion Levin beat Palmerston North, 6-2.

Levin sit on top, equal with the perennially strong Manawatu, which have each dropped only three individual matches of the 16 in the opening two rounds.

At the top, one of the district's most promising juniors, Tyler Hodge, beat Peter Harold (PN), by 3 and 2. Palmerston North's only winners were Glen Signal and Peter Ellmers.

Wanganui might be one of the bigger clubs but they were hammered, 7-1, by Manawatu, Wanganui's sole win coming from No8 Earl Souness over another promising youngster, Jack Leenards.

Feilding, on their home course, smashed Taihape, 7 1/2- 1/2, with No1 Michael Donaldson beating Ricky Donaldson, 3 and 2.

Marton easily beat Tawhero, 6 1/2-1 1/2, Lachie McDonald at No1 for Marton beating junior Kalin Huwyler, 3 and 2. The surprise in B-grade pennants at Linton Camp was Feilding B turning over Manawatu B, 5-3.

Hawkestone, though, have gone top of the tree with another win, 6-2 over Linton, a surprisingly easy margin against the host team.

Shannon club Buckley beat Waimarino, 5 1/2-2 1/2, and Rangitikei halved with Castlecliff, , 4-all.

A grade at Feilding: Feilding 7 1/2-1 1/2, Marton 6 1/2 Tawhero 1 1/2, Manawatu 7 Wanganui 1, Levin 6 PN 2.

Points: Levin 6 (13), Manawatu 6 (13), Feilding 6 (12), Marton 4 (10 1/2), PN 1 (6), Tawhero 0 (5), Taihape 0 (2 1/2), Wanganui 0 (2).

B grade at Linton Camp: Feilding B 5 Manawatu B 3, Buckley 5 1/2 Waimarino 2 1/2, Hawkestone 6 Linton 2, Castlecliff 4 Rangitikei 4.

Points: Hawkestone 6 (12), Castlecliff 4 (9), Rangitikei 4 (8 1/2), Feilding B 3 (8 1/2), Buckley 3 (8 1/2), Manawatu B 3 (7 1/2), Linton 0 (5 1/2), Waimarino 0 (4 1/2).

C grade at Waiouru: Morning round - Pahiatua 5 1/2 Tawhero B 3 1/2, Waiouru 6 PN 3, Wanganui B 6 1/2 Levin B 2 1/2, Foxton 7 Taihape B 2, Rangatira bye. Afternoon round: Rangatira 6 Foxton 3, Waiouru 6 Pahiatua 3, Wanganui B 7 Taihape B 2, Levin B 8 Tawhero B 1, PN B bye.

Points: Wanganui B 6 (13 1/2), Waiouru 6 (12), Levin B 3 (10 1/2), Foxton 3 (10), Pahiatua 3 (8 1/2), Rangatira 3 (6), Tawhero B 0 (4 1/2), Taihape B 0 (4), PN B 0 (3).

- © Fairfax NZ News