Stoke By Nayland played its first home competitive inter-club match of the season against Colchester Veterans on what turned out to be a bright, cold and very blustery day. At times, wind gusts made playing conditions very challenging (with golf caps flying in all directions) but the SbN team seemingly mastered them better than the opposition to run out worthy 6-2 winners.

Match 1: Graham Cork & Simon Merriam. Stoke By Nayland win 6&5.

The Captain, more than ably assisted by Simon, led the team from the front by getting off to a very strong start and were 6 up after the first 6 holes ! A tight few holes saw Colchester get back to within 5 at the turn and then to 4 down. Good dovetailing then enabled SbN get back to a lead of 6 and a convincing victory. The Captain did report that conditions had a major impact on one of his shots that was about to be announced as a ‘gimme’ until the wind took hold and rolled it back to the edge of the green!

Match 2: Tony Denmead & Stuart Lawson. Stoke By Nayland win 4&2

Despite the strength of their opponents, the SbN boys were never behind in this game. It was nip and tuck for a while with Colchester continuously pegging back a one-hole lead repeatedly created by Tony. At the turn, SbN were one up and, despite the best efforts of the wind which actually managed to blow Stuart’s ball off the 10th tee mid swing, his resulting recovery took the team to a two-hole lead. That was extended to 3 holes at the 14th and Tony produced a great birdie to halve the 15th . Two good approach shots to the 16th meant the shake of hands was a formality.

Match 3: Ian McKay & John Crane. Stoke By Nayland win 4&3

This match started very competitively with the lead changing sides by one hole. Ian & John managed to go 2 up on the ninth primarily due to John’s par. The back nine remained tight with pars and a few birdies but through more good dovetailing SbN were able to stretch the lead and close the match out on the 15th hole(which is just as well as John had to dash off to walk the dog).

Match 4: Richard Allen & John Williams. Stoke By Nayland win 4&3

In a very enjoyable game against pleasant playing partners, Richard & John were 4 up after the front nine. They managed the rest of the game well in order to cruise (John’s word, not mine) to a 4&3 victory before submitting the most succinct match report of the day.

Match 5: Dick Lumsden & Barry Hitchcock. Colchester win by 1 hole.

After a pretty even front nine, Dick & Barry went into the back nine one hole down. Unfortunately, they suffered a bit of a downturn in luck and went to 3 down after 15 holes. They then rallied really well, coming back to win the 16th & 17th, only for their efforts to draw the game to be scorned by a half on the final hole. A tough pill to swallow, unlike Dick’s post-match pint.

Match 6: Eric Fisher & Tony Reeves. Stoke By Nayland win 3&2

This match started on the 17th tee and SbN took a one-hole lead at the 18th. By the 3rd, SbN were 1 down following a birdie by the visitors and then also lost the 4th to a nett par. However, the fighting spirit of the SbNboys came to the fore and after Tony’s par at the 9th, they were 1 up. A loss on the 10th returned the game to all square. A 11th hole birdie by Eric was followed by a par on the 12th to go 2 up and the match was claimed on the 14th.

Match 7: Colin Dallas & Mick Henry. Stoke By Nayland win 4&2

Mick started the match like the prize fighter he is, winning the first 4 holes. Colin could only watch in awe. In order not to dishearten the opposition too much, who then more than held their own, the SbN lads played steady golf for the rest of the round. Colin won the match on the 14th with a par in the middle of a mini-tornado which was particularly impressive.

Match 8: Richard Middleton & Kevin Walsh. Colchester win 3&1.

Richard & Kevin found themselves up against two excellent opponents who took an early advantage which they never looked like giving up. Kevin played solidly well but it wasn’t enough to get his team back into contention and the opposition wrapped the game up on the 15th hole.

There was a nearest the pin competition for the SbNboys on the 3rd which was won by Ian McKay.

Overall, a very enjoyable day of golf with very amenable opposition and one that provides encouragement for the rest of the season. Thanks to the Captain for organising and well done to all the teams – boy, it was tough out there!

Many thanks indeed to Stuart Lawson in his virginal reporting role - cheers Stuart.

Team

1st      Graham Cork (Captain) & Simon Merriam

2nd     Tony Denmead & Stuart Lawson (Reporter)

3rd     Ian McKay & John Crane

4th     John Williams & Richard Allen

5th     Barry Hitchcock & Dick Lumsden

6th     Eric Fisher & Tony Reeves

7th     Colin Dallas & Mick Henry

8th     Kevin Walsh & Richard Middleton