After scorching temperatures the previous day, the weather was mercifully a little cooler, though no less sunny, as the team took to the fairways (and trees and bunkers) against Hintlesham.

With the course in excellent condition, and the recent dry spell resulting in plenty of run on the ball, there was full value for shots, even if getting the ball to stop on the green was sometimes a challenge.

Unfortunately we couldn’t quite secure a victory, Hintlesham winning 5-3, a couple of last hole wins tilting the balance in favour of the home side. However, as always, the matches were played in excellent spirit, and lunch was superb, especially the Bakewell Tart, features which were enthusiastically commented on by Captain JP.

Match 1 – John Parkinson and Gordon Bryan – Lost 4 and 3

A highly enjoyable game. JP and Gordon held their own until after half way, the Hintlesham duo dovetailing very well, with a succession of pars and birdies keeping it tight to the 11th. At this point, David, the Hintlesham captain won 12, 13 and 14, despite JP making par on each of them! No way back from there!

Match 2 – Graham Cork and Rob Davies – Won 2 up

A closely contested (never more than 1 hole in it until the end) and very enjoyable game saw Rob and Graham achieve a narrow win. Early success for SbN was cancelled out by an excellent par for the home team on the tricky 4th, only for Rob to make full of use of the contours to make birdie and go ahead on the 6th. We fell behind on the 11th after testing the strength of the trees, but hit back with both of us parring 14. Rob then played superbly, and despite a birdie from Hintlesham on 16, we won three out of the last 4 holes to secure victory.

Match 3 – Richard Saunders and Mick Henry – Lost 3 and 1

The question being asked was “Can Mick repeat his Stowmarket heroics?” Sadly, not quite. The team were ahead for much of the first 11, but a couple of long putts and a chip from Simon and John (Hintlesham) proved decisive. Mick found the green in 2 on the difficult 17thbut another long putt from the home team sealed SbN’s fate. Another match played in excellent spirit.

Match 4 – Colin Dallas and Bill Kemter – Won 3 and 1

A really enjoyable day, especially for Colin, who obviously feels at home in hot and sunny conditions, as he recorded 80 gross for a net 71.

Match 5 – Malcolm Norton and John Jardine – Won 2 and 1

John spends a lot of time in Abu Dhabi and must have felt right at home as he visited numerous bunkers. This contributed to an indifferent start which saw SBN 3 down early on. However, showing indomitable spirit we chipped away at the lead and 9 pars later, the match ended with a 2 and 1 win.

Match 6 – Kevin Walsh and Alan Line – Lost 1 hole

Some excellent golf - including 3 birdies - from SbN for the first 12 holes saw us 3 up. At this point, the wheels fell off and combination of wayward driving from us and consistent play from Hintlesham brought it back to level with one to play. A good time for a birdie: but sad to relate it was made by the home team, sealing a one hole win for them.

Match 7 – Colin Pottle and Terry Mitchell – Lost 5 and 4

The parting comment of many a game show contestant, leaving the show empty handed, is “We’ve had a lovely day”. And so it proved today. Closely contested for the first 7 holes, a run of four successive lost holes effectively ended our challenge as we could never recover.

Match 8 – Neil Ashwell and Barry Hitchcock – Lost 1 hole

A very close game, with never more than 2 in it all game. Level after 9, a two hole lead with 4 to play became evens again with just one to go. Unfortunately, as in Kevin and Alan’smatch, Hintlesham pulled away on the 15th (match started on 16) to win by one. Gutted!

Many thanks to Graham Cork for taking on the reporting responsibilities for this match. Thanks Graham