Hat-trick of victories the target for Celtic Manor ace

CELTIC Manor’s Mitchell Reid goes for a third tournament victory in succession this weekend as Newport and Whitchurch host the Tucker Trophy.

A big field is expected to tee off for the first of two rounds at Newport on Saturday before 36 holes the following day at the Cardiff club.

And if form is anything to go by, Reid will be one to look out for as he bids to add the trophy to the Gwent Strokeplay and Matchplay titles he scooped in the last few weeks.

The Tucker Trophy holds extra significance as it carries both Pinnacle and Hugh James Boys Order of Merit points, meaning some of the best young talent in Wales is due to take part, including 2008 winner Ben Westgate and 2011 Welsh Boys’ champion David Boote.

Newport’s Daniel King has been drawn alongside last year’s runner-up Alastair Jones while the former’s clubmate, James Casey, has Westgate for company at his home club.

Joe Vickery, another Newport man, finished third when Westgate triumphed and went one place better in 2009, so he will be hoping this is his year as will the likes of St Pierre’s Richard Bentham, fifth 12 months ago.

Former and current Duncan Putter champions James Frazer (Pennard) and Luke Thomas (Pontypridd) should be in the mix come Sunday while Reid is joined by fellow Celtic Manor golfer Ryan Haskell.

Josh Mayo and Julian Sansom also represent the host club while Dewstow’s Phil Smith and Jack Davidson of Llanwern are outside bets for glory.

Davidson's dad, Jonathan, is playing well at the moment having pushed Reid all the way in the final of the Gwent Matchplay at Woodlake Park. Reid had to work hard for a 2&1 success, his triumph coming after wins against Monmouthshire’s Tom Davies (1 hole), Llanwern’s Richard Tayler (3&1) and Wernddu’s James Collins (3&2).

On the international scene, Wales have girls and boys teams in the European Team Championships next week. The girls travel to St Leon-Rot in Germany and the boys go to Lidingo in Sweden.

New South Wales Girls’ champion Jessica Evans (Newport), Georgia Lewis (Llanishen), Ella Griffiths (Pyle & Kenfig), Megan Lockett (Huddersfield), Sara Rees-Evans (Penrhos) and Chloe Williams (Wrexham) represent Wales in Germany.

Otto Mand (Greenmeadow), Oliver Mottram (St Pierre), Evan Griffith (North Wales), Tim Harry (Vale of Glamorgan), Henry James (Kidderminster) and Ryan Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) make up the boys’ squad.

Results

Newport

South Wales Girls’ Championship; 1. J. Evans (Newport) 75, 2. G. Lewis (Llanishen) 78

Pontypool

Seniors’ Open Day; 1. M. Watkins 43pts, 2. R. Schofield 42, 3. K. Jackson 41

Club Strokeplay Championship; 1. J. Cox 69+71=140, 2. R.D. Davies 70+76= 146

Nett Strokeplay Championship; 1. J. Cox 67+71=138, 2. R.D. Davies 67+73= 140

Club Strokeplay Medal; (0-12 Hcp) 1. R.D. Davies net 67, 2. K. Thomas 70, 3. S. Ford 70, (13-18 Hcp) 1. C. Barry 70, 2. L. Boag 70, 3. M. Rogers 70, (19-28 Hcp) 1. J. Rogers 74, 2. G. Smith 74, 3. M. Reece 75

Tredegar & Rhymney

Beechfield Cup; 1. A. Evans 41pts, 2. S. Philpotts 35, 3. M. Shepherd 34

Captain’s Stableford; 1. A. Jackson 33pts, 2. N. Dufty 33, 3. J. Jones 32

Captain’s Week 2 Clubs and a Putter; 1. D. Sullivan net 40, 2. S. Davies 44, 3. A. Jackson 47