The 53-year-old, playing off a handicap of five, was considered an outside chance of beating some of the town's top players, but he shot an over-par 72 to take the title.

A former Wallsend first-grade cricketer who scored a century in the 1977-78 final they lost to Stockton, Vial knew how to perform on the big stage and was determined to show them up.

He beat accomplished Waratah A-grade pennant players Greg McMillan and Mark Ellison and new kid on the block Jarrod Santi by a shot in the 18-hole Vardon event.

¦ Dr Gerry Lister was quick to diagnose defending Merewether A-grade club champion Angus Neil with a dislocated shoulder last week which ruled him out of last Saturday's championship semi-final.

Neil smashed his shoulder last Thursday night playing indoor soccer and went to see Dr Lister on Friday for a verdict.

The running joke at the golf club was Dr Lister didn't even look at the shoulder before ruling him out because he was playing his son, Matt Lister, in the semi-final.

It would have been impossible for Neil to take last Friday off work and then attempt to defy doctors orders and play on Saturday because he is a greenkeeper at the golf club.

Lister got a walkover against Neil and he will play 2008 champion Craig Jones who defeated Todd Middleby 3 and 1 in a spiteful match.

Both players had plenty to say to each other throughout the round and there were no hugs and kisses at the end of the match either.

Jones was four down through the first four holes but fought back brilliantly to be one-up after 10 before booking a place in his third consecutive final.

¦ Mark Ellison and Grant Cooper were the heroes for Waratah on Sunday as they scrambled to a 4.5 to 3 win over Newcastle in the Newcastle District Golf Association Senior Pennant Series at Karuah Golf Club.

Four of the seven matches were squared in a gripping contest but Ellison beat Nick Turner 3 and 2 in the No.2 match.

Cooper snuck home on the second-last hole to beat Chris Cacciato 2 and 1. Newcastle's only victory came from Daniel Terry, who beat Mick Browning on the last hole.

Waratah remained undefeated through the first six rounds and will finish on top in division one.

Hawks Nest have not lost a match and will finish first in division two and look certain to be one of the two teams that will win promotion to the top grade next year.