INTER CLUB MATCH v BRETT VALE - AWAY - 8th APRIL
BRETT VALE 5 SbN 3
The markets were in turmoil but the SbN team did not worry about their investments and kept their minds focused on the match ahead.
Those coming in from the West of Brett Vale had to contend with road closure at Hadleigh and the resulting trip through the long and winding country lanes of the road to the away team’s course. The acting captain for Brett Vale was also trying to throw the team off by mispronouncing all the names on the teamsheet. Nevertheless, the weather was perfect, the course in good condition (particularly bunkers) and the food very good.
Match 1
Lost 4&3 Captain Kevin and Tony Carman
Things didn’t start well when Brett Vale’s VC Barry began like a train. After halving the first, Kevin and Tony lost the next five holes! Despite managing to go one up over the remaining 12 holes, this still meant they lost overall.
Match 2
Lost 3&2 Ian McKay and Dick Lumsden
This was a tale of two halves. In decent (fortunately two words not one) shape, after 8 holes (1 up), Ian and Dick were hit by four consecutive 3’s on holes 9, 10, 11 & 12 leaving them 1 down. Despite Ian turning it on for the back nine, the string of pars were only getting SbN halves and they eventually had to shake hands on the 16th.
Match 3
Halved Gordon Bryan and Andy Cracknell
When Gordon (receiving 18 shots in the match) par’d the first two holes, the opponents thought they needed a wall around the course to stop a Mexican invasion even though Gordon was not wearing a sombrero. They were convinced their suspicions were right when he continued to putt from 20 to 30 feet to within a foot or two from the hole, in addition to a 20 foot putt being sunk, and the opponents were 3 down at the turn. The Brett Vale team, however, turned it on and started to dovetail, winning three holes in a row, with most of Andy’s par’s being beaten by net birdies (but managing to keep SbN in the game). A later hole won put Brett Vale one up over SbN. One of the Brett Vale team also resorted to dirty tactics by kicking Andy’s club away from under him as he was resting on it while watching the other one sink a long putt. At the last hole Gordon and Andy were one down, but Gordon managed to win the hole, despite having to come out of the green side bunker, and the match was halved. The game was played in good spirit and we enjoyed Keith and Alan's company, with the half being a fair result overall.
Match 4
Lost 3&2 Graham Cork and Richard Middleton
Brett Vale got off to a flier. Barry Root (24 handicap) birdying the 2nd. The tenacious Stoke pair held on by their fingertips with some hard fought halves until Richard won the 9th. Nip and tuck thereafter but a birdie putt on the 16th from Graham ended up hanging over the hole (so not a birdie putt I guess) as the match ended at that hole. A quality match played in great spirit.
Match 5
Lost 5&4 Nick Wright and Phil Brennan
Truth is SbN were always hanging in the game. The 11th proved to be a turning point in the match. Nick nailed a 25 foot putt for par, only to see Brett Vale's 9 handicapper Mark nail a birdie from a similar distance. And, as they say, that was it!
Match 6
Won 3&2 Malcolm Norton and John Williams
Two down at the turn, then with five wins on the trot, a deserved win of 3&2. Lovely company made for a very enjoyable round.
Match 7
Won 2&1 Brian Roloff and Terry Mitchell
No-one played well and it was a close game from start to finish. Not many highlights apart from Terry’s wonderful par on the 18th (their second hole).
Great game and great food.
Match 8
Halved Andy Higginson and Simon Merriam
The match was a very tight contest played in a very good spirit. The Stoke pair were giving shots away and were 2 down after 10 holes. Andy and Simon fought back bravely and turned the match around to be one up with two holes to play. However, they lost the 17th hole in the match where they gave shots. All square playing the last hole. Andy (Stoke) and Steve (Brett Vale) both hit the green of the par 3 hole (they finished on the 16th). Andy got his par. Steve left his first putt 20 feet short but then holed the putt. All square. A great game.
Many thanks to Gordon Bryan for taking on the responsibility of reporting on todays match against BV.
Team …………
1st Kevin Price (Captain) & Tony Carman
2nd Ian McKay & Dick Lumsden
3rd Andy Cracknell & Gordon Bryan (Reporter)
4th Graham Cork & Richard Middleton
5th Nick Wright & Phil Brennan
6th Malcolm Norton & John Williams
7th Brian Roloff & Terry Mitchell
8th Andy Higginson & Simon Merriam