GOLF - Harbour put end to title dreams

Victories to Gene Wintle and Brad Bonnington weren't enough to earn a win for Northland in their must-win match against neighbours North Harbour at the Toro Interprovincial golf championships.
Northland went down 2-3 in yesterday's match at Nelson's Greenacres Golf Club, putting an end to their title aspirations. Manager Graeme Hill said the side were bitterly disappointed they had come so close to a win but still come away empty handed against a team they know very well.
"You can handle losing - but losing to North Harbour makes it twice as bad," Hill quipped.
Hill caddied for Wintle in the round after he chose the reserve to replace former Harbour player Brett Dormer for the match.
"He did really well and played steady golf all the way around," he said.
Wintle overcame Simon Brownlee 7/5, while Gavin Welsh and Lee Newman both were beaten by the 14th hole.
Bonnington, one of only two Northland players who have played at a interprovincial before, continued his great form at the tournament by beating Kevin Budden 4/2.
No.1 Gary-John Hill was two down going into the 17th hole against Scott Johnson but couldn't pull off a comeback and lost the hole.
"He took the loss on himself because he was the last in and he wanted to carry the team through to the win but it didn't work out that way," Hill said.
The loss made it a tough ask to get them up for their final match in the afternoon against Taranaki and they ended up handing the side their first win of the tournament.
Only Gavin Welsh won his match while Brett Dormer managed a half in the 1.5-3.5 loss.
Hill said it proved too difficult to lift the team after their disappointing loss in the morning to North Harbour.
Winless after the first day, Wellington topped section two and will play Southland in one semifinal while of Plenty meet Waikato in the other playoff.