GOLF
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IT’S set to be the biggest match-up in pool A of the 2016 Central West Districts Golf Association division one competition, outside the finals, and it’s coming in Sunday’s third round.
First placed Mudgee, taking on second placed Duntryleague, at Dubbo Golf Club.
Mudgee is undefeated after two rounds and the gangbusters side has only dropped two ties in their opening two rounds to boast 2.8 points already, while Duntryleague - with a substantially different side to that which has owns the last three titles - thrashed Wentworth 4-1 in their only fixture so far.
Duntryleague skipper Robert Payne said his side is under no illusions as to just as how difficult Sunday’s clash will be but said his troops are also fully aware a victory is crucial to their hopes of securing a fourth consecutive division one title.
“Mudgee are deserved favourites I think and I also think they’d be extremely confident going into this weekend,” Payne said.
“They’ve got the best side I’ve seen them field since I’ve been playing pennants and they’ve had a couple of big wins already.
“But any team playing Duntryleague knows they’ll be in for a fight and you only have to win three of the matches to win overall.
“We’re definitely going in underdogs though and I’m not just saying that. If they beat us on Sunday Mudgee will be very, very tough to beat from there on in.”
Payne said, without trying to put undue pressure on the young gun, Duntryleague needs No.1 James Conran to lift and hopefully beat his Mudgee counterpart Mark Hale, after suffering a loss to Wentworth skipper Steve Bray in the opening round.
“Steve’s a good player and he wore James down,” Payne said.
“But I still think James was a bit out of sorts. I’m really looking to him to improve and hopefully beat Mark.
“That will be a game worth watching regardless.”
Duntryleague takes on Wellington in divisions two, three and four.
Wentworth has the bye in division one and plays Bathurst in division two and four, Parkes in division three, at Cowra.
Ex-Services plays Mudgee in divisions three and four, also at Dubbo.