NGL Scratch League

Division 1
Reigning Scratch League champions Northants County had few problems in their opening fixture of 2019 as they ran out 7-1 victors at home to Wellingborough.
Harry Larkins, Josh Pritchett, Corey Neville, Mikey Chambers and Michael Farr all recorded big wins, while Matt Bird and Charlie Salter were successful on the 18th hole in the first and last ties respectively.
Roger Butler prevented a whitewash defeat for Wellingborough as he beat fellow veteran Brian O’Connell in the remaining fixture.
Peterborough Milton were also successful in their opening home contest as they beat Staverton Park 6-2 in a match a lot closer than the final scoreline suggested.
Chris Savage and Adrian Firman enjoyed convincing home wins, but with Max Hayward replying for Staverton and all the other games going the distance, the three results remained on the table.
It was Milton that held firm however as Martin Herson, Michael Wood and Phil Hughes secured narrow wins, while Jacob Williams and Chris White bagged a half apiece against Matt Smith and Miles Mudge respectively.

Division 2
Collingtree Park became the first team to record an away victory in the Scratch League this year as they completed an impressive 5-3 win at Cold Ashby.
Despite beating Kettering 6-2 a week earlier at home, Collingtree made a slow start as home duo James Gibson and Ian Geddes took games one and three respectively with ease, while the match in between finished all square.
To Collingtree’s credit, they didn’t panic as Trevor Twelftree and Jensen Parfitt levelled the score, game six was halved, before Ray Connolly and Joe Mennell wrapped up the away win by taking the last two points.

Division 3
Daventry made a winning start to their promotion campaign as they defeated Rushden 3½-2½ at home, thanks to comfortable wins from Chris Balic, Chris Eveleigh and Daniel Haynes.
The visitors showed their battling qualities with points from Club Captain Rob Price and Callum Gant, but Steven Alexander couldn’t snatch a team draw for Rushden as his match with James Berry ended all square.