Mapley edges nearer fifth island crown

EIGHT years have passed since Kay Mapley won her fourth and most recent island women's golf championship. Plagued by back problems ever since, not to mention combining work and bringing up two children, the daughter of former Manchester City professional Bill Spurdle is through to the last four of the 2005 Deutsche Bank Guernsey women's championships.

The odds on Mapley securing the title once more are tumbling by the day and if any firm indication was needed that she has what it takes to win this week, it came with yesterday's 6 and 4 trouncing of Julie Creed, a former finalist.

Barring her way to the final is top seed Sue Wellfair, but for a long time yesterday morning it seemed as if Jenny Kimber, this year's lady captain, would cause a shock at the top of the draw.

Kimber won the first hole and doubled her advantage at the fifth.

She was still ahead playing the 14th at which point Wellfair made a decisive move, winning three holes on the bounce.

The lady captain said she had only herself to blame.

'I didn't chip well at 14, 15 and 16 which really you can't afford to do against someone like Sue.'

The 16th was halved as was the 17th to ensure the top seed was through.

In the other quarter-finals, Di Aitchison beat Carol Wood 5 and 4 but Di Hudson had to go the distance and more before putting out La Grande Mare's remaining hope, Nicki Wallbridge, who appeared to get the jitters with victory in sight.

Having holed a 20-footer for a half and preserve a one-up lead at the 15th, Wallbridge duffed her drive at the 16th and lost it to a five. Back she came with a good drive and excellent approach to set up a winning four at the 17th, but at the 18th she found the hollow short of the green and lost the hole to a par.

Both players hit good drives at the first extra hole, but while Hudson put her second on the green, 20ft behind the flag, Wallbridge left her approach 25 yards short and followed it with a poor chip well left of the flag.

She then left her par putt well short and rushing the follow-up effort, she missed again and conceded.