Star Smithies oh so sharp

ROGER Smithies receives the Royton Sword for the second time from Barry McLoughlin (left), captain of Crompton and Royton, and club president Steve Horritt

ROGER Smithies, brought up a short iron from the High Barn course, won the Royton Sword for the fifth time.

The former Lancashire County stalwart posted scores of 70 and 71 for a one-over-par total, recording two birdies and three bogeys at Crompton and Royton.

The Hopwood member, who was adding to triumphs in 1997, 2008, 09 and 14, prevailed by three strokes from Didsbury's Jack Brooks.

Smithies (51), who now lives in Royton, said: "I was pretty consistent tee to green, but unfortunately didn't hole much.

"It was quite blustery, but we only had one shower of rain. The course was in excellent condition."

LANDED

The leading local player was Kris Sutcliffe, who landed the Oldham and District Championship at Saddleworth six days earlier.

Playing on his home course, registered rounds of 80 and 74 to finish among the leading dozen players.

The best nett score was recorded by Craig Fallows (Huyton and Prescott) with 150-8-142, two shots clear of Paul Wilson (Woolstanton, 150-6-144.

LEADING SCORES: 141, Roger Smithies (Manchester) 70 71; 144 Jack Brooks (Didsbury) 71 73; 147 Max Rogers (Astbury) 73 74, Ben Crompton (Manchester) 69 78; 148 John Wilding (Heysham) 73 75; 150 Craig Fallows (Huyton & Prescot) 75 75, Paul Wilson (Woolstanton) 73 77; 151 Lewis Pownell (Fairfield) 76 75; 153 Matthew Bargh (Heysham) 74 79; 154 Kris Sutcliffe (Crompton & Royton) 80 74; 156 James Kempster (Bramhall) 78 78; 157 Andrew Fitzpatrick (Keighley) 80 77.

Meanwhile, Crompton and Royton's Centenary Trophy was abandoned due to waterlogging.

It will be replayed on Saturday, September 10.

Other results ­-

BLACKLEY

Midweek Stableford

1, Stephen Hanley 41 points; 2, John Williams 39pts CPO; 3, Alex Hughes 39pts. Division One: Jon Alston 38pts. Division Two: Mark Bamforth 39pts. Division Three: 3: Martin Skinner 39pts.

President's No.4

1, Steve Murray 79-14-65; 2, Gordon Cox 84-18-66; 3, Liam Baldwin 82-15-67 CPO. Division One: Chris Slattery 76-9-67. Division Two: Peter Rea 86-18-68. Division Three: David Jackson 87-19-68.

CROMPTON and ROYTON

Midweek Medal

Division One: 1, Joseph Ryder 81-14-67; 2, Rod Buckley 80-10-70 CPO. Division Two: 1, Don Carr 91-25-66; 2, Peter Milojevic 88-19-69.

OLDHAM

Murphy's Fourball

1, John Waterhouse, Owen Williams +19 CPO; 2, David Kendric, Paul Donlan +19; 3, Peter Paxford, Cliff Cuncliffe (both Saddleworth) +18.

SADDLEWORTH

Pro's Betterball Stableford

1, Ian Buckley, Dave Fox 45 points CPO; 2, Steve Goodwin, Nick Edwards 45pts CPO; 3, Alan Entwistle, John Knight 45pts CPO.

WERNETH

Three-man Stableford

1, Paul Rowbotham, John Armstrong, Dave Maloney 81 points; 2, John Parnell, Graham Harrop, Ronnie Beresford 77pts.

Midweek Medalford

1, Mark Abbott 32-19-13; 2, Kevin Tickle 35-21-14.