Following storm Agnes leaving our shores, the SbN team drove into Clacton, hoping to put the wind up the Clacton team who had won at SbN earlier in the year.

Unfortunately, the omens were not good with the tees being put back half an hour a couple of days ahead of the match, and the team order being changed on the day of the match, throwing your reporter into a state of panic. It obviously had an affect on our Captain too, as he had to run back to the clubhouse from the first tee as he had not changed into his golf shoes.

Match 1

Won 3&2   Malcolm Norton and John Russell

With a half on the first hole, our pair quickly got into their stride and won the next three holes. They lost the sixth but quickly regained their composure and at the turn were 3 up. The back nine was more level but, with John’s shots, he managed to par the difficult 17th to close the match out.  

A good example to follow Captain (and John).

Match 2

Won 3&2 Phil Boyland and Bob Filer

They must have copied their leader!  

A good team performance, always ahead and too strong for the Clacton pair.

Sir Bob never loses (except when he partners your reporter in Opens…sorry Bob).

Match 3

Lost 1 Down Phil Brennan and Ian Mckay

SbN boys knew they were in trouble when the 22 handicapper from Clacton parred the 1st.  Then the 16 handicapper parred three holes on the trot. The Clacton team also parred another five holes on the back nine.  Ian kept SbN in it with a couple of nice birdies but conceding so many shots was too much and lost on the last hole……..unlucky chaps.

Match 4

Lost 5&4 Gordon Bryan and Tony Carman

The team started well with Tony putting us one up on the 2nd. Then nip and tuck with Clacton moving one up, before Gordon and Tony managed to bring things back to all square at the turn.  All changed on the back nine with Clacton (well John their 20 handicapper who Tony had to give 8 shots to) managed to par the next 5 holes (a couple of which were net birdies).  Despite having 13 shots, Gordon could not compete (obviously his bandit days are over). Tony’s 8 pars were to no avail.  Having lost on the 14th Clacton’s secret weapon Tony decided to stop taking part and Gordon and Tony thrashed his partner Paul on the last four holes……too little too late even for Hambro scoring.

Match 5

Lost 4&3 Steve Stacey and Kevin Walsh

Never a good start when an opponent is introduced as “Bob the Bandit”.  No excuses, however, as SbN were well beaten and no “banditing” required. Steve and Kevin never got going and the Clacton duo closed out the match on the 15th.

Match 6

Lost 3&2 Trevor Waterhouse and Peter Garnett

Starting on the 17th which was a tricky par 3,SbN went two up after two, courtesy of Trevor even though he was giving 13 shots to one of the opponents. After six halves on the trot, the Clacton pair fought back to go to three up, a lead they held until the match was over, but Trevor and Peter did win the last two (too little too late again).

Match 7

Lost 5&4   Steve Mitchell and Kevin Price

Went two down fairly early on and were never really in the match.  Just chasing it.  Although Steve and Kevin didn’t play badly, they were no match for Clacton’s Tony, who played exceptionally well.  An enjoyable match all the same.

Match 8

Lost 5&4   Paul Sheffield and Colin Pottle

Colin had no shots and Paul was a cripple.  That said, Clacton’s Bill and Colin, played well. Paul needed to replenish his golf balls…….sounds like he lost more than me!!