AFTER Old Links and Hindley took care of the semi-finals last week they now look forward to an exciting Bolton Golf Association final which will be played at Deane Golf Club on Sunday.

Old Links will probably be favourites following their 6½-1½ drubbing of Bolton in the semi-finals. They have also been league champions three times since the league changed the format in 2006 and have been involved in numerous semi-finals since.

Hindley last enjoyed success in the League Championship in 1999 though they claimed three titles in a row from 1969 to 1971 when they had several top golfing members with Lancashire County credentials.

It will be Hindley’s first attempt in the new format and they will be up for the fight, having covered themselves in some glory by defeating the much-fancied Deane in the semi-finals.

They believe they have the team to take on Old Links and have made just one change by adding Peter Finch, a scratch player, who was unavailable for the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Old Links have replaced Nick Jackson and Martyn Price with Neil Williams and young Michael Tunstall a one-handicapper.

“I have been team captain for some years,” said Duncan Simm. “And we have been favourites in some of the semis and finals and lost. You can never tell what will happen on the day, though I am very happy with my team selection.”

Hindley’s handicaps are somewhat higher than the Old Links squad but they have two scratch players in Finch and Liam Ball. Ball, a recent member for Hindley, has won the BGA Championship twice as well as collecting a runners-up medal and will be the one to beat.

Ball will meet Hindley’s Aaron Harper – a plus-one handicapper – who came seventh in the Lancashire Amateur Championship in May and will be a tough nut to crack.

The Old Links’ one-handicapper Aaron Watkinson will be up against Hindley’s scratch player Finch and much could depend on these last two matches.

Hindley’s team captain, Nigel Bate, said: “We are pleased to have reached the final and we know that we will probably be the underdogs against Old Links.

"But I have every faith in my team.”