After a long fought campaign, the Hillman Trophy and Plate Finals were decided over 18 holes on Sunday 21st September at Goring & Streatley Golf Club. After a couple of wet and windy days the weather cheered up and the final was played in bright sunshine, albeit with slightly gusty weather on the top side of the course.
In the Hilman Plate, Mill Ride faced Buckingham Golf Club. In the previous rounds both teams had taken advantage of home draws and so faced a very different prospect in the final where the greens of Goring and Streatley were as smooth, fast and challenging as ever. After the first five groups had finished the result was far from decided. A win, a loss and three halves for each team meant that the last two matches were pivotal. Buckingham’s Doug Barry and Chris Johnson eventually gained the two deciding points in tightly fought matches at the tail end of the field.
Congratulations to the victorious Buckingham team – Sam Chapman, Kevin Cox, Lee Thorne, Gary Parslow, Rob Johnson, Doug Barry and Chris Johnson.
In the Trophy Final, Newbury & Crookham faced Hinksey Heights and again, both teams had taken advantage of home draws with the exception of Hinksey Height’s semi-final win at The Lambourne. Neil Smith and Gavin Wheeler gave Hinksey Heights a fantastic start with two wins in the first two matches. Newbury & Crookham immediately responded and won the next five matches despite fierce opposition from Hinksey Heights. With a 5-2 win, Newbury & Crookham were able to put to bed their disappointment of last year where they lost in the final to Beaconsfield Artisans.
Many congratulations to the Hillman Trophy Champions of 2025 – Newbury & Crookham – Paul Pantanella, Doug Terry, lee Gourlay, Tony Ruczynski, Neil Devery, Sean Sargeant, Charlie McCready.
