GOSFIELD   5     SbN       3

Convened at Gosfield in glorious sunshine & commenced with a 2 tee start.

I think we sorely missed our leaders usual inspirational rallying call due to Captain Graham’s absence. Despite this we still managed to record our standard away match result losing 5-3, so stand-in Captain Kevin can be proud to maintain this record.

Highlight of the day undoubtedly was the Gosfield sweet trolley which offered up a wide variety of different treats. The enjoyment of which was tempered by the Chef’s rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song”.

Enjoyable day had by all (as usual), with some very close matches, a numberof which went down the last, excluding your reporters match 2 which is best not to mention when you next see him or Dave Seymour.

Match 1: Kevin Walsh (VC) & Graham Vandervord

Result: Won 3 & 2

Comments:

An excellent start by Graham with 2 pars and a birdie, in the first 3 holes, gaving SbN a 2 hole lead which was never overtaken. Further pars and a birdie on 15, again by Graham, closed out the game. A good match against friendly opponents.

Match 2: Colin Dallas & Dave Seymour

Result: Lost 4 & 3

Comments:

Four down after four holes wasn’t the greatest start, however, this was reduced to 1 down at the turn. The deficit soon grew again as Gosfield’s high handicapper could do little wrong. BothColin and Dave remarked that it was a joy to behold and how fortunate they were to witness it first hand.

Match 3: John Williams & Malcolm Norton

Result: Lost 3 & 2

Comments:

Gosfield nipped and tucked well. Gosfield’s John, with 9 shots, played bogey golf. Matching him was insufficient hence the result.

Match 4: Tony Denmead & Andy Higginson

Result: Won 1 up

Comments:

Tony and Andy enjoyed a very close match eventually emerging victorious. A closely contested game with never more that one hole in it. Andy took aim at the opponents ahead from the second tee but only succeeded in hitting a Stoke player. Tonydrained a birdie putt on the 1st and continued to hole many morethroughout the day, culminating with a tricky downhiller on the last hole to emerge victorious.

Matches 5-8 started on 10th

Match 5: John Parkinson & Trevor Waterhouse

Result: Lost 2 down

Comments:

Lovely day on good greens. SbN 4 down at the turn but rallied to close the gap to 1 on the 17th thanks to John’s birdie. However, the great escape wasn’t to be as Gosfield secured the win with a birdie on the last.

Trevor insisted that the match report include a mention of his magnificent birdie on the 4th.

Match 6: Phil Boyland & Richard Middleton

Result: Lost 1 down

Comments:

Tight match played in good spirit. Both SbN players suffered with the wind, Richard more so. Richard putted well but unfortunately had no length to other shots. Result came down to the final putt.

Match 7: Dick Lumsden & Eric Fisher

Result: Won 1 up

Comments:

After the worst possible start going 1 down (are you sure? Refer to match 2), Stoke woke up and went 2 holes up due to Dick birdieing 13 and opponents playing the wrong ball on 14.

SbN 1 up at the turn, then halved 4 holes before gifting an equalizer. Eric subsequently won the next hole to put SbN noses back in front. A lead that was maintained through to the finish.

Match 8: Steve Mitchell & Dave Drew

Result: Lost 1 down

Comments:

SbN forged 2 ahead after 3 holes but were pegged back by the 5th. Gained the advantage again to be 3 up at the turn only to find themselves all square after 15. Unfortunately, lost 16th and could only manage halves on 17 & 18. Great game, lovely course & good company.

PS – just in case anyone missed it Trevor recorded a birdie (sorry, that should read a magnificent birdie) on the 4th.

Many thanks to Colin Dallas for reporting on the Gosfield match.

Team …………

1st     Kevin Walsh (Captain) & Graham Vandervord

2nd     Colin Dallas (Reporter) & Dave Seymour

3rd     Malcolm Norton & John Williams

4th     Andy Higginson & Tony Denmead

5th     John Parkinson & Trevor Waterhouse

6th     Phil Boyland & Richard Middleton

7th     Dick Lumsden & Eric Fisher

8th     Dave Drew & Steve Mitchell

Reserves - Stuart Lawson / Tony Emms / Ian McKay / Dave Humphries / Mich Henry

Meet @ 8:00 for tea & coffee. 2 tee start

Cost - £22:50

Lunch - pork chop & veg followed by the infamous Gosfield dessert trolley