BURY SENIORS GEAR UP FOR 2015 COUNTY LEAGUE CHALLENGE

Bury Golf Club Seniors have announced a massively enhanced programme of 19 friendly matches to supplement their 18 match Lancashire County Red Rose League programme in what promises to be an exciting 125th Anniversary year for the Unsworth Hall Club. With over 50 members registered for the Red Rose squad, friendlies secretary – Brian Simper has supported Captain John Latham and Vice Captain Jim Pilkington by securing home and away matches against Accrington, Blackpool North Shore Bolton Lostock, Colne, Didsbury, Great Lever & Farnworth, Grange-over-sands, Shaw Hill and Wilpshire, plus the Pike Fold exchange and traditional Stand Cup, to guarantee weekly matches for as many players as possible throughout the season.

Matches got under way last week in preparation for the opening league encounter at Deane on 21st April with the club’s inaugural visit to Wilpshire. Bury welcomed newcomers Ken Brown, Chris Swinnerton and Gordon Swinnerton to the team on a glorious spring morning, with the Blackburn course in superb condition.

Skipper, John Latham and Brian Simper soon found conditions to their liking in the opening game against John Ward and Brian Bibby, taking an early lead before emerging comfortable winners by 4 & 3. The visitors good start continued when Jim Pilkington and Secretary, Michael Howarth proved too strong for Frank Booth and Peter Earrey ,ending the match on the 14th green by the impressive margin of 5 & 4.

Dave Forrest and Adrian Fyles hit back strongly for Wilpshire in the third game ,with some stunning golf to triumph 7 & 5 over Steve Bracegirdle and Ken Brown. This was however just a brief respite for the home side as Gerry Barnes & Ken Pendleton edged out Hughie Harris & Tony Ince on the 18th to give Bury a 3-1 lead with 3 to play.

Things proved equally tough in the 4th game with Ray Rosler & Colin Duckworth paired against Bob Lynch and Tony O’Neill. Once again the Bury pairings vast experience on the county circuit proved crucial as they eased home after a gripping encounter by 2 & 1 to clinch the match for the visitors. Once more, Wilpshire hit back with Roger Yates and Steve Powell proving too good for Trevor Grimshaw and Chris Swinnerton winning 5 & 4. The final game was also a closely run affair in the early stages before Rod Davies and Gordon Swinnerton triumphed 3 & 2 over John Oxford and Neil Ramsbottom. To leave the final match result – WILPSHIRE 4 – BURY 10.

Bury made the trip to Shaw Hill yesterday and entertained Great Lever and Farnworth today, seeking to rotate the squad to give valuable match practice before the league opener. Their final pre-season friendly takes place at Great Lever on Thursday 16th April before the serious business gets under way.