Sam Rutherford Cup team slip up against Lisburn

The first leg, played at Lisburn, finished with Banbridge five holes down.

That was a good result for Banbridge away from home. Surely they could turn that deficit around over their home course.

That was played at Banbridge last Sunday.

Malcolm Russell and Cathal O’Neill won the top game, two holes up. That was good but they had been five holes up at one stage. If only they could have held onto that lead.

Martin McAleenan and Rory McMullan won the second game by four holes up. That was really good. Banbridge were now one hole up overall.

The third game was tight, very tight. Peter Hillen and Gordon Haire finished all-square.

The Lisburn duo deserve great credit for holding Peter and Gordon to a half match.

Everything now depended on Gary McCormick and Neil Diamond in the final game.

A half match would be good enough.

But Lady Luck has not smiled on the Banbridge teams this season and she didn’t do so this time either. Gary and Neil lost by three holes down.

Lisburn had won the match by two holes up and they were over the moon.

Peter Hillen and his team were in a state of shock. They couldn’t believe what had happened.

That’s golf for you!