Following a thrilling halved match in the first leg of the final at Irvine Bogside, The Barassie Links course posted a formidable challenge in the testing windy conditions for the deciding matches and outright winner of the eagerly contested Ayrshire Summer League Trophy. A tightly fought encounter, however, saw the home side take best advantage of their local knowledge as well as coping with the vagaries of the Ayrshire winds. Barassie took the honours with a 3 ½ - 2 ½ win, which gave an overall 6 ½ - 5 ½ result. Stuart Miller gave the home team the perfect start by taking an early lead against Gareth Lamb in a rock solid display. Wins at 14 and 15 eventually sealed a fine 4 & 3 win. Barassie's Jamie Mackay and Bogside's John Shanks lined up in what looked like the match of the day. Jamie took the first five holes in a one-sided encounter and recording a 5 & 4 victory ...and maintained his 100% winning record in this season's matches intact.
Two matches to nil ...it was looking good for Kilmarnock Barassie!!
But Bogside had other ideas, and fightback began!!
Promising Barassie youngster Euan Walker ran up against some superlative shot-making from the visitor’s Alan Connery. Some inspired golf saw Alan build a commanding five-hole lead by the seventh. However, not to be outdone and always aware of a possible count-back position, Euan remained remarkably calm, dug in, reduced some of the deficit but despite his best efforts eventually succumbed on the 15th green.
In match four, an out of sorts Andrew Wright gifted Colin Gray the first two holes of their match before fighting back to level the contest by the fifth. However, the Irvine player’s greater consistency in the tough conditions allowed him to ease away to a crucial 4 & 2 win.
Two matches apiece ...and it's getting nervous!! Two deciding matches are out on the course.
Home Club Captain David Miller played some fine, steady golf in the anchor match to build an early lead against Gordon Dunlop. Miller. Also mindful of the potential for a count-back, David took advantage of his vast matchplay experience to build on the team lead and secure an important 5 & 4 victory for his Barassie.
Up ahead, Euan Brown, recent winner of the Fulton Trophy, and Stephen Spence were producing some top quality golf. As the overall contest developed it was clear this was likely to be the pivotal match. Brown held a two hole lead with three to play, but excellent birdies from Spence at 16 and 17 saw the match head up the 18th hole all-square. Both players found the green with their approach shots to set up birdie chances ...Spence’s effort just slipped past ...Brown nudged his tricky downhill putt to the hole side. The halve point was just enough to give Kilmarnock Barassie the narrowest of victories.
Overall an excellent Final played in great spirit throughout
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