BOLTON and Old Links remain neck and neck at the top of League “B” following their Bolton Golf Association league head to head clash at Bolton Lostock last week, which culminated in a 4–4 draw.

As visitors, Old Links were the happier team after a titanic struggle which went down to the wire as both Lancashire county players Michael Hearn and Liam Ball held the match in the balance.

A strong performance from Ball finally overpowered Hearn and gave the visitors a 2&1 victory to halve the match.

The 22-year-old Ball, who recently moved to Old Links from Chorley, was always ahead winning both the seventh and ninth to go two up at the turn and another win at the 10th put Ball three up. The tenacious Hearn, also a one-time Chorley player, battled on to reduce the deficit but, at dormie two down, he ran out of holes.

In the first match, Bolton’s John Maree finally capitulated to Old Link’s Richard Powter who holed out from 15 foot on the last to win by one hole giving the visitors an early lead.

But Bolton came back immediately with a 2&1 win from Tim Cooper who had been four up after 10 and despite a spirited fightback by Matt Taylor, the point went to Bolton.

While Mike Lay gained another winning point for the home side beating Martin Price 3&2, the Old Links team captain, Duncan Simm evened the match beating young Sam Greenhalgh 5&4 and David Ahern improved the visitors score line with a 4&3 win over Andy Stafford.

When Bolton’s Mike Schofield defeated Matt Buckley 2&1 honours were again even and it all came down to the two top matches.

Scratch players Rob Taylor and former Bolton champion Steve Bryan had an intense battle with Taylor going ahead at the turn.

Bryan squared the match at the 12th, but immediately fell behind at the 13th and Taylor finally stole the point for Bolton 2&1.

With the visitors needing a win to halve the match, it was Liam Ball who stood tall and shook off Hearn’s fight back for a point to square the match.

Tonight, Bolton have to visit Chorley who are looking to improve their lowly league standing whilst Old Links host Great Lever and look favourites to retain top spot.