Our Captain was away on a Course  so it fell upon Vice Captain Graham to step up to the mark and muster the troops in our away match with close neighbours Newton Green. The weather was perfect for golf with sunshine and little or no breeze.

Match 1 Acting Captain Graham ably aided by Norman Davidson (the local yocal) took on the Newton green pairing.

The two Stoke Stalwarts by their own admission did not bring their best form into this match and although all square after four, the rot set in. Unfortunately the report is tear stained and I can only make out “avoided the dog licence by halving the 12th.

Result loss 7&5

Match 2 Lionel Hatch & Phil (The man) Hickley v Koss and Peter

Lionel was great !! His game resembled Rory at Sawgrass. (and then Phil woke up) It was a good game which the away team lost by one hole. Everyone contributed to a match played in the right spirit. B-------s.

Result Loss 1down

Match 3 Kevin Walsh & Trevor Waterhouse

SBN were up against it from the start with Newton having a number of shots and then made two birdies and a net Eagle. Two down at the turn Stoke turned it around with four straight pars which left the score at two up with two to play. The boys held on to win 1up against two excellent opponents.

Result Win 1up

Match 4 Tony Reeves and Dave Seymour

The omens were bad. 0-2 down after 2 holes but the lads rallied, kept it tight,(All the excuses coming now) still 0-2 down at the turn and although they did win a hole but ended up losing 3& 1. Desperately unlucky

Result Loss 3&1

Match 5 Phil Brennan & Shikhar Chatrath

Phil and Shergar had a tough old game with 4 holes halved and being 1 down at the turn. Shergar hit a number of pars to keep SBN in it but 3 birdies from Newton set them up for a 3&2 win.

Result Loss 3&2

Match 6 Graham Stubbs & Richard Middleton

Graham and Richard combined well despite losing the first hole to reach the turn 4 up after several putts were made by Richard. Nerves started to set in when they lost three straight holes before recovering to win 2&1. As in most of these games our partners were great hosts giving advice where needed and a relaxed and happy round followed.

Result Win 2&1

Match 7 Tony Emms & Ian Gault

This was a good, close game played in good spirit.Tony sunk a monster putt on the first to win the hole. Newton Green replied by winning the next. Several of the following holes were settled with halves. On the back nine the 10th was conceded and SBN went on to close out the match with a 3&1 win.

Result Win 3&1

Match 8 Paul Sheffield & Dave Drew  v Tony and Rob

Great weather and great company . Dave and Paul dovetailed well (Can you imagine that? Enough for nightmares) and we were both on their game. Tony and Rob tried but just off the pace . A good win for Paul and Dave 5&3

Result Win 5&3    

Many thanks to Lionel for his report on the Newton Green match - thanks Hatchy ! 

Team ……..

     1     Graham Cork (Captain for day) / Norman Davidson

     2     Lionel Hatch (Reporter) / Phil Hickley

     3     Kevin Walsh / Trevor Waterhouse

     4     Tony Reeves / Dave Seymour

      5     Phil Brennan / Shikhar Chatrath

     6     Graham Stubbs / Richard Middleton

     7     Tony Emms / Iain Gault

     8     Paul Sheffield / David Drew