“It’s still an open wound,” Bruce joked after his side bowed out of the 2017 division one race courtesy of a 3-2 loss to the defending champions.

“It was a very exciting semi-final. They're a great side, Mudgee”

Bruce’s less-than-fond recollection of the nail-biting semi-final might have something to do with his pivotal tie with Mudgee gun Andrew Best.

With the other four matchplay games finishing up as one-sided affairs – James Matheson knocked off Mark Hale 7 and 6 in the No.1 tie and Ben Mackey defeated Matt Stanley 4 and 2 to triumph for Bathurst, while Mudgee pair Matt Consadine and Josh Campbell accounted for Brad Cooke (4 and 3) and Darrell Bourke (5 and 4) – a place in the final hinged on Bruce’s clash with Best.

All square headed to the 18^th, Best lost his ball, wedged at the top of a tree.

After a fair time lodged in the tree, wind enabled the Mudgee No.3’s ball to drop from its perch, leading to confusion as to what penalty was to be implemented.

In the end, the pair agreed to square the 18^th and play a play-off hole.

Best’s drive again found the trees, but his iron shot was incredible, landing the ball on the green in two to be putting for an eagle.

He two-putted for a birdie, while Bruce missed his birdie putt to par the hole and drop play off and ultimately the semi-final clash.

“It was a bit disappointing because the final hole was marred in a bit of controversy.

“It’s a disappointing way for it to all end, for myself and my team. I had everyone following me up the green. It was a tough way for it to all end.”

Bathurst also suffered a 3-2 exit in the division two semi-finals, also against Mudgee.

Tony Forster (4 and 3) and Lance Williams (5 and 3) were the victors for Bathurst’s lower grade outfit.