Valley, Riviera gain Fed League semis

MANILA, Philippines - Valley and Riviera rode the momentum of their home victories to turn back Royal Northwoods and Orchard, respectively, and advance to the semifinals of the 2010 Federation Golf League.

Valley scored a 4-1 win at home then thwarted Northwoods which fell just half a point short of matching that result in its hosting turn.

Valley’s 7.5-4.5 victory over the two-time champions sent the Antipolo squad to its first semis appearance in the league against Eastridge.

Riviera, chasing a fourth league title, stayed on track after disposing of Orchard, 7-3, in their own quarterfinals meeting. Riviera opened a 4-1 win at home which proved too hard for Orchard to match the next day.

Riviera completed the win with a 3-2 decision and forged a grudge match this weekend with Forest Hills which is eyeing a third championship. Riviera’s most recent victory in 2008 came at the expense of Forest Hills.

Forest Hills and Eastridge gained outright seats in the semifinals after finishing with the best records in the eliminations. Like Valley, Eastridge has yet to make the finals of the Fed League which features four formats played home-and-away style.

The heartbreaker of the weekend was easily that of Northwoods. After taking the first three points in bestball, greensomes and high-low and its bestball pair salvaging a draw in bestball, the host club was looking at a possible playoff and even outright win depending on the outcome of the aggregate pairing. The match went to the 18th al square but Arnel Arteche bungled it for Northwoods when he three-putted.

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