After being taken apart 8-0 in the very recent away match everyone assembled with a certain amount of trepidation as to what sort of team we would be playing today, a team with more than its share of high handicap golfers. 
The conditions were perfect - clear blue skies and very little wind.

Match 1 - A great start by our Captain & Alan L. Despite losing the 1st hole they fought back and took a 1 hole lead into the back 9 where they turned on the gas winning by 5 & 3

Match 2 - A close match throughout and very difficult to get in front against a Frinton pair playing below their handicaps. The Frinton pairing eventually coming out winners 2 & 1

Match 3 - Despite the SbN teams best efforts in holding the match to all square after 9they succumbed to outstanding play from one of their opponents, who would have scored 44 pts Stableford, eventually losing 3 & 1. The highlight of the round was Kevin Ps backward roll to get out of a bunker on the 3rd.

Match 4 - Despite a couple of birdies by the home team Frinton finished the front 9 1 up. ThevStoke team responded strongly, with 3 back to back birdies by Eric F, to go 3 up after 14 but Frinton fought back very strongly to halve the match.

Match 5 - 4 up after 7 holes the Stoke team thought they were in for a straightforward day at the office. The Frinton team fought back strongly, reducing the deficit until David S, on his own admission, entered the match to win the 17th and a 3 & 1 victory.

Match 6 - 4 down after 4 holes was not the best of starts despite (allegedly) doing little wrong. Giving away 18 &v19 shots to their opponents was pretty hard work and the Stoke boys did well to hold them to a 5 & 3 defeat.

Match 7 - The Stoke team joked that Frinton would have 4 birdies in the front 9 and lo and behold they watched in horror as this happened. Bill K played really well, but unsuccessfully, to try and redress this - the team falling to a 6 & 5 defeat.

Match 8 - A thoroughly enjoyable match but woefully slow !! There was never much in the match with the Frinton lads going 2 up on a couple of occasions. The Stoke pairing battled away - never easy with the number of shots being given away, particularly to one of the opponents who was outstanding on par 3s - with a shot! 1 down with 2 to play - wins on both left the SbN team winners by 1 hole.

A very good meal finished the day - a vast improvement on a few weeks ago but, as a Captain said “It’s not the winning that matters ………” - oh yes, it is !!