The third round of Pollock Cup was played in fine, sunny weather at Waitikiri on Sunday with underfoot conditions still quite wet in low-lying areas, which tested many players.
Matches through the first three rounds continue to be unpredictable with some close contests, but one big win on Sunday saw Waimairi Beach defeat Harewood 6-0 with Deanna Matthews, Angela Gerken, Georgia Wayman, Zaria Bourne, Lyn Robertson and Pam Chapman all winning for Waimairi Beach.
Clearwater notched some early wins courtesy of Jo Kent, Lexi Thomson-Hall and Lynda Vieceli while No. 1 Rachel Eder edged past Nicole Hamilton-Cross in a close match at the top of the order to defeat Avondale 4-2. For Avondale Jaimee Leach and Rhonda Hira had wins.
Christchurch and Russley had a real arm wrestle with three matches going to the 18th before Russley prevailed 3.5 to 2.5. For Christchurch, Catherine Bell and Mel Newburn, who registered her 100th Pollock Cup appearance in Round 1 had wins, with Olive Tapu and Jasmine Clancy halving, while teenagers Vanessa Lim, Jessie Mercer and Junie Chang got Russley across the line with their wins.
Waitikiri had the bye in Round 3.
After three rounds it’s a very compact leader board with only 1 point splitting the top 5 teams. Clearwater are just on top on games difference ahead of Russley, and the bye each round just adds to the puzzle.
With nine players having a two win or better record over the first three rounds, the Merle Barley Salver for individual honours is still very wide open.
Pollock Cup takes a break this weekend for the Town vs Country annual fixture at McLeans Island, with round four at Rangiora Golf Club on 4 September.
Click here to view full team and individual results so far
