Werneth clinch home comfort

WERNETH ‘A’ will have home advantage in the play-offs after clinching top spot in the Oldham and District Golf League’s East Division.

They did so with a 6-2 home victory over Crompton and Royton, having gone into the game needing three points to gain the home tie in the last four. Whom they will play is still in the balance.

Blackley ‘A’ look to have all but sealed top spot in the West Division with a 6-2 win over North Manchester. But Dukinfield ‘A’ will face a week of inactivity before knowing if they can hold on to second place.

Dukinfield lost their last game of the season, 8-0 at Stamford ‘A’, and must watch from the sidelines with a free date as Stamford travel to North Manchester ‘A’ needing a draw or better to eclipse them.

Even a 5-3 defeat for Stamford would see them through as they would win on countback (most wins 6-5).

North would match Dukinfield’s 53 points tally with an 8-0 home win, but that would not be enough as they would miss out on countback for most draws, which Dukinfield would take 4-3 after most victories finished tied at 5-5.

In the ‘B’ Section West Division, it is even tighter.With the top four all at home in the last week, it is Stamford ‘B’ and Oldham ‘B’ who occupy the coveted spots.

Stamford came away from Dukinfield ‘B’ with a precious three points in a 5-3 defeat which not only dented Duky’s hopes but also gave the visitors a one-point lead going into the final round of games.

Second are Oldham after managing a fine 5-3 win at Werneth Low.

Saddleworth have a game in hand (at home to North Manchester) and a win at Oldham would make that game, to be played next Wednesday, much more than a dead rubber. Blackley and Dukinfield are also in the shake-up.