SbN        6½          Stowmarket     1½

Play commenced in lovely golfing conditions.  Light cloud cover and virtually no wind.  Got sticky towards the end but still good.  Considering the drought conditions, the Gainsborough was in excellent condition.  Greens and aprons are really good and strategic watering of vulnerable areas means it should bounce back when we get some rain (what’s that?).

Match 1

Captain and Brian Roloff. Won 3&1.

Graham played very well with Brian supporting with well timed interventions.  S by N were up for most of the game finishing 3&1 winners.

Match 2

Kevin Walsh and Dave Seymour.  Halved.

S by N took an early lead and the match was then very close all the way with never more than a couple of holes in it.   2 up after 13 for the home team changed to 1 down after 17 with 3 birdies from John (their 18 handicapper).  A pair (Scribe’s note:  not 1) of solid pars on the last from        S by N won the hole and halved the match against two friendly opponents.

(Scribe’s note: hard to win against someone banging in birdies off an 18 handicap.)

Match 3

Kevin Price and Malcolm Norton.  Won 4&3.

Despite some underwhelming golf from the home team(Scribe’s note:  I am advised), they managed to bring home a win.  Malcolm kept the ship steady for the first few holesbefore Kevin took over with some good long putts and a few up and downs.

Match 4

Lionel Hatch and Colin Dallas.  Won 7&6.

A very good game with Colin playing very steadily and Lionel contributing here and there.  Played in good company.  (Scribe’s note:  a stonking win!).

Match 5

Simon Merriam and Mick Henry.  Lost 2 down.

Scores were very level for the first part of the round, but from the 8th, Stowmarket put on a spurt shortly after the turn to go three up.  Things levelled out for a few holes then Stowmarket added another win to go 4 up with 4 to play.  S by N won the next 3 to go to the last 1 down.  But the away team won the last to take the match.  (Scribe’s note:  I heard Simon specialized in hitting cracking drives which disappeared off the face of the earth!)

Match 6

Richard Middleton and Tony Reeves.  Won 6&5.

A very enjoyable game started on the 17th.  Both members of the home team were on good form winning 18 to begin a convincing run out, finishing with a win on 11 to take the game.

Match 7

Iain Gault and Rob Swan.  Won 5&4.

A game played in great spirit with friendly opponents, starting off 17.  S by N quickly went 2 up and were 4 up after 9 holes.  The game finished on 12 – halved in birdies!

Rob’s note:  the above was written by Iain who, modestly, couldn’t say he played exceptionally well, potting several birdies and scoring gross 73!

Match 8

John Crane and Tony Locke.  Won 4&3.

Last match off 17 went 1 down to a birdie at their first hole giving cause for concern, but the home partnership proved strong with excellent dovetailing.  The match was levelled at the 3rd hole then S by N got in gear and motored on to go 3 up, never to look back.  John spent much time in bunkers but played a spectacular net 1 on the 11th and the match ran out 4 & 3.

Well done S by N for a very convincing home win!

Many thanks to Rob Swan who took on the responsibilities of reporting on today’s fine win. Thanks Rob.