Historic Victory for Matamata Division 4 Men’s Team

On Sunday, 19th April 2026, Matamata’s Division 4 Men’s team embarked on a mission to become the first Men’s team in a decade to secure the Waikato Championship Pennant. This achievement followed their successful claim of home advantage two weeks prior, when they defeated the Huntly team in the 1 versus 2 match at Walton.

Morning Round: Triumph Over Mercury Bay

In the Semi-Final, Matamata faced a strengthened Mercury Bay team. Reece (Reeco) Cole set the tone with an impressive win, defeating Neal Robinson 8&7. Mercury Bay’s Cam Goodger responded with a 2up victory over Mark (Higgy) Higginson, leveling the competition. However, Matamata quickly gained momentum with a series of wins: Marcus Day-Fallon defeated Dom Szparagowoski 2 Up, Jakson Day-Fallon bested Sam Murphy 3&2, Lucas Hill overcame Dave Enright 3&2, and Corey Bell secured a 2&1 win against Mark Boe. This series of victories resulted in a 5-1 win for Matamata, earning them a spot in the Final against Whangamata.

The Final: A Hard-Fought Battle

The first half of the final match was challenging for Matamata, with Higgy, Reeco, Marcus, and Corey trailing as they teed off the 11th. Despite the initial setbacks, the team rallied admirably.

Higgy faced defeat on the 16th green, losing to Beau Rogers 3&2. Meanwhile, Reeco, after being one down to Ben Fleetwood at the 17th tee, managed to win the 17th, tying the match, and then tied the 18th to secure the first half point. The “Young Guns” followed with strong performances: Jakson defeated Mike Legg 5&4, Marcus overcame Blake Cropp 4&3, Lucas triumphed over Marius De Villiers 4&3, and Corey Bell tied with Michael Whickham. These results secured a 4-2 win for Matamata and delivered the Division 4 Pennant for 2026.

Celebrating Team Spirit and Achievement

The team’s achievements over the past three years have been remarkable. Their dedication, hard work, and camaraderie have made them a formidable force in their division. They have not only garnered attention and respect within their division and beyond but have also represented the Matamata club with dignity and respect. I am very proud of this team and am honoured to be a part of it, along with the other team members Alex Johnson and Ryan Yates. 

Pictured left to Right: Marcus Day-Fallon, Alex Johnson, Mark Higginson, Reece Cole, Corey Bell, Lyall Wilson, Jakson Day-Fallon, Lucas Hill and Ryan Yates