As it turned out, it was a lovely day for golf with the sun shining and no wind. So all was set fair for the contest with Colchester seniors intent on reversing the result at SbN earlier in the season. To help them achieve this, they produced quick and relatively hard greens. Not something SbN have been used to!!

Malcolm and Alan lead the team off only to find Terry from Colchester with 6 shots was pretty hot, using all his shots to good use and making it hard for our boys to get a handle on the game. So despite their best efforts, went down 2 & 1, in what was described by all 4 players, as a ‘cracking’ game.

Next up were JP and Mal. They lost the first and with one of their opponents Bill sinking a 30 footer on the 2nd for another win, the SbN boys knew they were going to be up against it. Being 3 down at the turn and then losing on the 10th, it was not looking good. However JP and Mal stuck with it and reduced the deficit to 2 with 3 to play, but just couldn’t cut it any further. Also going down 2 & 1.

Colin and Gordon battled all the way round, with Gordon, according to Colin carrying the flag for SbN on the front 9. SbN were never more than 2 behind and on the back 9 got the score to level. However Colchester sinking a 25ft putt on the 17th was a cruel blow to the boys who could only half the last and went down by 1 hole.

A similar tale for the next pairing of TC and JW. A hard fought match were the boys came up against opponents who chipped and putted like professionals. The game unfolded to the old golfing adage of ‘nip and tuck’ all the way to the 17th, when once again Colchester won the hole and played out the 18th for a half and SbN going down by 1 hole.

Brian and Rob were next up on the tee with Brian winning the 1st. They played steady golf with Brian playing below his handicap and by the turn were 2 up. Both continued to dovetail and eventually wore their opponents down, going out 5 & 3 winners. Biggest win of the day by either team.

The last 3 groups had to trudge all the way to the 15th. 1st off were Steve and Brian. All was looking good,with Stoke 2 up after 6. Unfortunately that was as good as it was going to be. They then unfortunately lost 5 of the next 6 holes to opponents that putted and chipped like demons, and never recovered and went down 2 & 1.

Up to the Tee next, were Dave and Phil. Dovetailing nicely and both playing well, were able to keep their opponents at bay the whole round and never being behind, ran out 2 & 1 winners.

Final grouping of KP and Graham set off knowing they had to give their opponents 5 and 10 shots respectively. Despite this, our lads played some good golf in a game that swung one way and then another. Unfortunately the 18th was one hole to far, losing it and going down by 1 hole.    

So Colchester got their revenge and beat SbN 6 – 2. An excellent day finished with a delicious meal of chicken and vegetables, followed by cheese cake.

Many thanks to Mal Jones on his report of todays match at Colchester - thanks Mal