A crisp, quite autumnal, morning greeted the teams as they made their way from the Champions Lounge, some to the farflung corner of the Constable course that is the 17th tee. Encouraged by Captain Price to make swift progress so that we could all get back and avoid the rain promised for later in the day, we did just that, all matches being completed in, for the most part, warm sunshine.

SbN continued their fine recent form, a comprehensive 7-1 win giving us our seventh win in the last eight matches.

Match 1 – Kevin Price and David Humphreys V Andrew Matthews and Andrew Boutell.
Won 3 & 2

A very tight front nine saw the match all square at the turn. However, SbN stepped it up, winning four out of five holes at the start of the back nine and despite David picking up his marker when having a putt to win the match on the 15th, Captain Kevin kept his nerve (and temper) to close out the match on the 16th.

Match 2 – Ian McKay and Ina Bickers v David Yates and Gary Carmoody.
Won 4 & 2

The pairing of the two Ians proved to be a winning combination. Ian B got off to a great start, SbN winning the first 3 holes, and with Ian M contributing a few crucial halves,we reached the turn 3 up. A fight back from Braintree saw the advantage reduce to 1 after the 13th, but a strong finish saw Ian B sinking a winning net birdie putt on 16, depriving Ian M of a real birdie!

A very friendly, enjoyable match, in which Ian B staked a claim for the golden sombrero award.

Match 3 – Andy Cracknell and Dick Lumsden v Dan Mulley and Mark Shearman.  
Won 3 & 2

This was truly a game of two halves. SbN raced into a comfortable lead, winning the first five holes, with three birdies for Andy and one for Dick on the way to a betterball gross score of 35 on the front nine, but it was a different story after the turn, as Dean and Mark fought their way back from 6 down to 3 down before we closed out the match on the 16th.

Match 4 – Peter Jay and Mike Clare v Paul Vale and Philip Pagan
Lost 1 hole

Oh woe is us! A great match with many halved holes After a poor start, SbN managed to get to 3 up with 4 to play, however, this only served to inspire one of the Braintree team, who won the last four holes to record a one up victory. A fine contest though.

Match 5 - Tony Denmead and Richard Middleton v Rihard Moffat and Kevin Newsome
Won 6 & 4

SbN got off to a fast start, winning the first two holes. We consolidated this to 3 up at the turn and never looked back,drawing away to win 6 & 4, with both members of the team contributing. Some solid golf, net 1 under at closure of the match after 14.

Match 6 – Iain Gault and David Drew v James Ronald and Ian Rankin
Won 3 & 1

A close match, played in good spirit. This was a very tight game, as the handicaps suggested. SbN managed to get to 2 up by the ninth and were never behind after that, finally closing it out on the 15th (started on 17) to win 3 & 1.

Match 7 – Graham Cork and Mick Henry v Arthur Turner and Steve Dunkley
Won 1 hole

Starting on 17, SbN immediately went 1 up with a fine par by Mick, before Steve rattled in a net birdie putt from just off the green which might have threatened the water had it not hit the flag. Braintree gradually pulled ahead and went 3 up when Arthur birdied 11. Cue fight back. We won 12 and Graham’s tee shot on 13 ricoheted off a tree to within 4 feet of the pin (and yes, he made the birdie). Wins at 14 and 15 put us 1 up and Mick closed out the match with a solid half on the 16th(our last). An excellent match, played in great spirit.

Match 8 – Bob Filer and Paul Sheffield v Tony Pomphrett and Ken Clark
Won 5 & 4

A comfortable win for the buggy boys. Tony and Ken played well and were great company, but Paul and Sir Bob were on top form and made a couple of birdies.

Many thanks to Graham Cork for his report on todays fine win against Braintree.

Team ………

1st     Kevin Price (Captain) & David Humphries

2nd     Ian McKay & Ian Bickers

3rd     Andy Cracknell & Dick Lumsden

4th     Peter Jay & Mike Clare

5th     Tony Denmead & Richard Middleton

6th     Iain Gault & David Drew

7th     Graham Cork (Reporter) & Mick Henry

8th     Bob Filer & Paul Sheffield