SbN     5½       CLACTON 2½

Group-1: Kevin Walsh and Tony Locke (Lost 4 & 2)

The SbN pairing had the advantage of playing the same course the previous day. However, one down on the first hole to a good pair from Clacton set the tone. We halved and exchanged holes but were 2 down at the turn. This was soon 3 down at the 10thfollowing Clacton's net eagle! SbN did get the match back to 2 down, but were dormy 3 after 15. Clacton won the 16th for a 4 and 2 result. VC Kevin played reasonably well. There is no mention of Tony – he did nothing of note!!

Group-2: Malcolm Norton and David Humphreys (A/S)

Fantastic game against Graig and Greg. SbN 3 down at the turn, mainly due to the expert caddying service provided by DH. A change of captaincy at the turn, combined with a life threatening injury?!?! (yet all four were seen enjoying lunch afterwards) enabled SbN to claw back the deficit, with a handshake on the 18th (before putting out) ended the match in the right way!  

Group-3: Bill Kemter and Tony Reeves (Won 3 & 2)

A really close game found ourselves 2 down early, but fought back to level the match at the turn.  It was then nip and tuck early on the back nine, but in three consecutive holes we  managed to open the gap and go on to win 3 and 2. Highlight of the match was Tony parring the stroke index 1 hole to come away with a net eagle.

Group-4: Trevor Waterhouse and Richard Middleton (Won by 1)

Enjoyable match but tough. We thought that we would have a bad day (at the office) when our opponent , Matt, had 2 birdies in succession leaving them 2 up. We got back to 1 up after 9, then went 3 up by 15. Luckily held on to win 1 up. It was a day of lost balls!

Group-5: Dave Seymour and Stuart Gregory (Lost by 1)

Only 5 shots handicap between the 4 combatants, so should have been a tight match and it was. Some up and down play with the Clacton duo winning on the 16th.

[Today's Top Tip – seeing everybody looking for their drives off the 6th on the 4th fairway, we agreed to call the hole A/S, and just chipped and putted from 150 yards.]

Group-6: Tony Denmead and Dick Lumsden (Won 3 & 2)

Drawn against Tom and Gerry (not the Disney characters!) from Clacton, and yet there was always going to be some cartoon element to the golf with some remarkable bounces and run offs, yet it didn't affect our boys too much. Going ahead early and never looking back. Birdies on 7 for Tony and on 11 for Dick helped seal the deal.

Group-7: Simon Merriam and Ian McKay (Won 3 & 2)

We got off to a slow start, going down on the first hole (17th), but got this back on the second hole played, then managed to build a 3 hole lead. This was pegged back to 2 up at the turn. Close play through the back 9 kept us at around that level, closing out with a par on the 14th to win 3 & 2.

Group-8: Iain Gault and Rob Swan (Won 3 & 2)

An inauspicious start (ie. psychological pressure applied by Clacton) for SbN, both Iain and Rob losing their (golf) balls on the opening 17th hole. The standard of play was less than wonderful, and the home team were never better than even until taking the lead on the 12th hole. From there we never looked back, closing out the match after 16 holes.

Many thanks to Bill Kemter on his particularly swift report on todays match - thanks Bill.

Team ………….

     1st     Kevin Walsh (Captain) & Tony Locke

      2nd     Malcolm Norton & David Humphries

     3rd     Bill Kemter (Reporter) & Tony Reeves

     4th     Trevor Waterhouse & Richard Middleton

     5th     Dave Seymour & Stuart Gregory

     6th     Tony Denmead & Dick Lumsden

     7th     Simon Merriam & Ian McKay

     8th     Iain Gault & Rob Swan