Golf: Oldham District Scratch Championship

Trophy winners... Andy Harrison (Centenary Trophy), Mike McCafferty (Oldham captain), Mark Riley (District Champion) and Brierley Cup winning teammates Pete Buckley, Charlie Clough and Tom Reeves

Brookdale golfer Mark Riley produced a classy display of controlled golf to retain the Oldham District Scratch Championship - his sixth success in the blue riband event.

Riley, 61, claimed his third success at Oldham Golf Club with a one-over par 133 total comprised of a morning 66 and an afternoon 67.

He led by three at halfway but pushed on to win by an incredible nine-shot margin.

"I played very steadily all day, often not taking driver off the tee to make sure I just stayed in play," said Riley, who is now third on the all-time list of multiple winners of the trophy that has been played for since the 1950s behind the local legends Harry Swailes and Alan Squires who both won the trophy on 12 occasions each.

Oldham were praised for the excellent presentation of their course with fast greens that emphasised the undulations.

Crompton and Royton's David Norbury was runner-up (72+70=142) but admitted playing partner Riley was just in a class apart, "He was in a different county," said Norbury on receiving his prize.

Previous three-time winners Lee Rowbotham (Saddleworth) and Gary Melling (C&R) were joint third on 143 alongside current Brookdale captain Pete Buckley with Buckley (69) and Rowbotham (72) picking up the gross round prizes.

Home player Steve Warburton won the two-round nett prize with a 64+66=130 return.

The Brierley Cup team trophy for the best four gross total from one club went to Brookdale with a 589 score that was seven better than C&R.

Brookdale's quartete were Riley, Buckley, Charlie Clough and Tom Reeves.

The district's one-round Centenary Trophy event was run alongside the scratch competition and Oldham's Andy Harrison claimed the silverware  (73-11-62) on a card play-off from Werneth's Paul Williams (77-15-62) who was left to regret a six-five finish.

Riley's 66 picked up best gross while the nett prizes went to Dean Jagger (Saddleworth) pipping Oldham's Wayne Adamson on a card play-off on 63 in Division One and homers Gary Lee (64) and Steve Hunt (66) in Division Two.                                                      

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