After losses away at Stowmarket, Newton Green and Brett Vale….Stoke Seniors finally broke their 2026 away duck, humbling Colchester on their own track and completing a home and away double over our near neighbours with the season barely a month old.
Over the eight matches, Stoke led from start to finish and, as each result came in, the smile on Captain Graham Cork’s face became wider and wider.
Conditions were near perfect, with sunshine and very little wind. Overall, the course was in decent condition, although the greens were still recovering from spring maintenance and threw up some odd bobbles from time to time.
As usual, Colchester were exemplary hosts with a fine two course lunch served at the conclusion.
Match by match
Match 1, Graham Cork and Tony Carman. Won 2&1.
A fine win for the opening pair. Despite going one down early on, Captain Graham levelled with a par at the first par 3. It was all square at the turn, but Tony then stepped up a gear and with a par on 10 and birdie on 13 put Stoke two up and that was how it finished.
Match 2, Dick Lumsden and Tony Denmead. All square
This was a very close game from start to finish. We went one down after four, but your reporter chipped in for a birdie on five to draw level. After a series of halves, Stoke finally drew ahead on 13, only to give it straight back on 14. Dick sunk a putt from off the green for another birdie on the par 3 16th, but Colchester’s Andrew Patrick, under pressure, sunk a 15 foot putt also for a birdie 2 to keep the match all square, and that was how it ended on the 18th .
Match 3, Malcolm Norton and Kevin Walsh. Won 3&2
An excellent performance from our pair against two very good opponents. Steady golf, with the occasional par and a fine birdie from Malcolm gave us a 2 hole lead at the turn. Dovetailing well, Stoke maintained their lead and closed out the win with a par from Malcolm on 16.
Match 4, Ian McKay and Richard Allen. Lost 2 down
Going one down at the first, the Stoke pair steadied and halved the next nine holes. By the 14 th , we had drawn level and it stayed that way until 16. But Colchester pulled away at the end with wins on 17 and 18 to inflict our first loss of the morning.
Match 5, John Williams and Simon Merriam. Won 3&2
Our duo had their work cut out giving shots away on 14 of the 18 holes. Although we took an early two-hole lead, we were pegged back to all square at the turn. It stayed tight until our boys hit a purple patch, winning 14, 15 and 16 to close out the win on the 16 th green.
Match 6, Stuart Lawson and Colin Dallas. Won 5&4
Starting on the 15 th , adding confusion to the scorecard, Stuart and Colin raced into an early three-hole lead. Despite a brief rally from their opponents, our boys kept their foot on the gas, winning three holes in a row to see out a comfortable win.
Match 7, Mick Henry and Nick Wright. Won 5&4
Another big win for Stoke. Four up after six holes, they kept up the pressure and only lost two holes overall in the match. Mick’s long drives always led the way and Nick sunk some crucial putts. An enjoyable win, in good company on a lovely course (they said).
Match 8, Richard Middleton and Tony Reeves. Lost 5&3
Colchester lulled Richard and Tony into a false sense of security, with Stoke going two up after four holes. But then reality set in. The Colchester players were consistently out driving our boys and, despite receiving a generous 33 shots between them, the Stoke pair couldn’t get a foothold in the game.

Many thanks to Dick Lumsden for reporting on todays first away win of the season - thanks Dick

Team ………..

1st     Graham Cork (Captain) & Tony Carman

2nd     Dick Lumsden (Reporter) & Tony Denmead

3rd     Malcolm Norton & Kevin Walsh

4th     Ian McKay & Richard Allen

5th     John Williams & Simon Merriam

6th     Stuart Lawson & Colin Dallas

7th     Mick Henry & Nick Wright

8th     Richard Middleton & Tony Reeves