Match 1    John Parkinson & Malcolm Norton   Won 4&2

Game was very friendly against two gents. 10 holes were halved in a closely fought match but class told in the end.  SbN played very well together and finished superbly to win 4&2. There’s a rumour going round that Malcolm’s new clubs may be up for sale soon!

Match 2    Steve Mitchell & Trevor Waterhouse   Lost 3&2

SbN found themselves 2 down after 3 holes without doing anything particularly wrong, and never recovered. SbN lost the 10th before a brief rally, winning 11 and 12 only for the opposition to put the boot in on 13. Game was dormie on the 15th tee and eventually lost on 16. Very enjoyable game apart from the result, good company and very friendly.

Match 3   Brian Roloff & Tony Carman   Won!

SbN were 2 down after 3 holes and 1 up at the turn. Then Brian ‘Nerves of Steel’ Roloff with 2 birdies and only 39 shots on the back 9 came good after some good advice from TC.  Brian surprised everyone by playing really well.

Match 4    John Williams & Steve Stacey   All Square

A tight game, Newton Green 2 up early on then SbN turned the tables and went 2 up only to be pegged back. Newton Green sank an 8 foot putt on the last for the half.

Match 5   Lionel Hatch & Graham Cork   Lost 4&3

The writing was on the wall after the first hole when Richard’s putting appeared to have backspin on it as it dropped.  The Stoke boys fought back to go 1 up only to be hauled back by a chip in from Richard. The Newton Boys continued to sink long putts, hit shots that ran through bunkers and eventually defeated the heroic Stoke team 4&3. A match played in great spirit but one of those days when the putts just didn’t drop.

Match 6   Kevin Walsh & Alan Line   Won 2&1

A flurry of early pars and judicial use of Alan’s shots gave SbN a 5 hole lead after7!  This was then whittled down to 1 up by the 15th, but SbN took advantage of a couple of wayward Newton drives to hold on for a 2&1 win. A good match overall.

Match 7   David Drew & Mick Henry   Won 4&3

SbN were 2 up after 2 holes, Newton Green then hung round like midges getting back to all square. Comfortable win in the end though.  David discovered a hitherto unknown desire to visit trees regularly.

Match 8   Sir Bob and Paul Sheffield  Won!

Great match, very close most of the way round. Bob, playing off scratch, played well on the front 9.  Then Paul came to life on the back 9 with 4 pars on the trot.  Stuart and John were great company but are now known as ‘The Deckchairs’ as they fold under pressure!

N.B. It should also be noted that El Mick had the temerity to beat Capt. Parky to nearest the pin!

Many thanks to Steve Mitchell for taking on todays reporting responsibilities - thanks Steve.