This match was always going to be tight from the go as both teams had similar handicap pairings. With the home pairing set in stone with Kieran O’Byrne and Simon Russell leading from the front, ably supported by David Carson and Gareth Noone - both new to Barton Cup.

Sutton V Luttrellstown  (Away Match) Sunday 22nd May  

Sutton won 3/2

This match was always going to be tight from the go as both teams had similar handicap pairings. With the home pairing set in stone with Kieran O Byrne and Simon Russell leading from the front ably supported by David Carson and Gareth Noone  both new to Barton Cup.

Then the big question was where would we put one of our best matchplayers in the history of Sutton GC our own Alan Darbey.   Alan was always a banker at home but in the past we have won our home games but lost our away games . And with 3 away we decided that Alan would play away.  Then we had to decide where he played  1 2 or 3 .  So we agreed to put Alan out No 2 with another rookie John Houston .  No 1 was Niall McNamara and Simon Lewis and  No 3 was David Corrigan and Conor Litchfield.   Both No 1 and No 3 pairings had fantastic matches and in the end local knowledge was the winner, where we lost on 17th and 16th respectively.

Having secured two great wins at home, where Kieran sunk a great downhill putt of maybe 10/12 ft (It’s probably 20 ft by now) on 18th to win the match . Simon and Gareth were in a hurry winning 6 up.

It’s now down to Alan and John (2 matches all ) at this stage.   Picture this scenario standing on 14th, 3 down with 5 to play . Manager Dave and VC James saying novenas on the side line….

Then Alan sinks a 10 ft putt to win 14 . 2 down. 15th par 3,  Alan hits to edge of green . John knocks it dead . Opposition put in bunker,  1 down.   Half on16/17   .

Now 1 down with 1 to play . When you see the calvary coming over the hill  to follow this match, you know that this match is vital to both teams .  Pressure comes to mind!

So we get to the 18th green and Luttrellstown have a 4ft putt to win the match - Another Novena!

They miss and it’s all Square.

Down 19. Alan is driving and he takes out 3 wood for security and experience.  Drills it down the middle.  Now the Luttrellstown Player who missed the putt on 18,  gets up and pushes it right .

Advantage Sutton .  Luttrelstown had to hack it out .  John is next and he says to Alan ‘I think I will hit a hard 7’.  ‘No’ Alan said, ‘you won’t - you will hit an easy 6’. John obeyed his master and hit a beautiful shot to the middle of the green .   The Luttrellstown lads hit a few more shots before conceding the Match.  What a come back .  Well done  Alan and John and  the Whole Barton Cup Team

All matches were played in a very friendly manner.

Next Match V St Annes (Home Advantage) TBC