Bendigo squad triumphs

THE Bendigo District Country Week Team yesterday won the VGA Country Week Teams Plate at the Kew Golf Club. Despite going down to Peninsula by the narrowest of margins in the final round, the previously undefeated Bendigo squad won with three wins from South Gippsland on 2.5 wins.Captain Phil DeAraugo was Bendigo’s best yesterday, with an emphatic 8-7 victory followed by sound wins to Ben Tatt (5-4) and Brent Rothacker (4-2). Bendigo only required one more to take the contest. However, Peninsula won the final four matches to pinch the tie 4-3.Bendigo’s Eric Barclay, Justin Williams and Rob Prendergast all took their matches to the 18th hole, but couldn’t get over the line.South Gippsland could have snatched the Plate from Bendigo had it been able to win its contest with West Gippsland, but it could only manage to tie.Bendigo and South Gippsland are promoted to the Shield competition for 2011 Country Week. West Gippsland and Dalhousie are relegated to the Bowl competition for 2011 Country Week. Yesterday’s results – Bendigo v Peninsula: Garth George lost to Ryan Fuller 4/3; Ben Tatt defeated Peter O’Dwyer 5/4; Phil DeAraugo defeated David Dorning8/7; Justin Williams lost to Gary Ruddick 2 down; Rob Prendergast lost to Anthony Marchesani 1 down; Brent Rothacker defeated Brian Meneilly 4/2; Eric Barclay lost to Rhys Harris 1 down.