WITH the Lancashire County Red Rose League fixtures completed for another year, Bury Seniors embarked on their traditional run of end-of-season challenge matches when they entertained Cumbrian side Grange Over Sands at Unsworth Hall last Thursday.

Stand–in captain ,John Latham and partner Trevor Ince opened for Bury, but Eddie Edmonson and Tony Hudson gave the visitors an early boost with a comfortable 4&3 victory. Ian Marsh and Jim Hardman were next up for the home side against Pat Wallace and Steve Bolsher.

A gripping game swayed first one way and then the other before the players walked off the 18th all square, leaving Grange with their noses just in front with five to play.

The in-form pairing of Jim Pilkington and Gerry Barnes were always playing catch up in game three but ran out of holes as John Smith and Barrow Gasgarth secured a 3&2 win to increase the visitors’ lead to four points.

Bury were down but not out and the fourth game saw the beginning of a revival in fortunes with Stuart Hindley and Nick Lawless taking the 18th and with it the game, following a superb match by all four competitors.

It was deja-vu a few moments later when Brian Simper and John Milbourne capped a wonderful display of golf to edge out Stan Smith and Ray Iddon on the 18th green to square the match with three to play.

Bury’s golden run continued in game six where Bob Emmens and Dave Kerry were always in control against Mark Wilson and Trevor Thornton with a 3&2 victory to put the home side ahead for the first time in the match.

Bury’s joy was shortlived when, after another nailbiting encounter, Geoff Smith and Mike Howarth were edged out on the 18th by Paul Flynn and John East to leave the tie to be decided by the final fourball, with former captains Ken Pendleton and Tim Whitehead paired with John McGovern and Baz Carter.

It looked all over for Bury when the visitors turned for home seven up. However, one of the most incredible comebacks of the season saw the home pair reel off six winning holes to go to the 17th only one down.

The Grange pairing held their nerve to take a magnificent duel and with it the match by nine points to seven in what was arguably the most gripping match of the season.

Bury moved on to the annual Pike Fold Exchange where Peter Dawson and Howarth took the honours with 43 points.

They were closely followed by Whitehead and Milbourne on 40 points, while third place went to Pendleton with 38 points in a 20-team field.

Bury were well represented at President’s Day which was held at Darwen Golf Club.

It was fitting that one of their most consistent players all season – Latham – took third place overall with playing partner Dave Leatham of Deane, scoring 44pts in a field of 140 pairs on the day.