The forecast was horrendous, heavy rain for most of the day, gales, mist, any other condition you could think of apart from snow, was going to deposit itself on Cardigan all day long.

But, the golfing Gods once again smiled, and we got to the far reaches of Gwbert by the sea, in relatively good weather, and being able to tee off on two different places, meant that we could come back in, at a reasonable interval.

Having arrived early, John D. R. Williams, our captain, got quickly into first gear, and had the team sheets organised, sarnies bought, tea ordered, and generally had his men doing the bonding bit. He then proceeded to be late on the tee! Understandable, what with all the things to do. Trying to find a pen that works, paper to write on, "what's that man's name, I haven't seen him before!"

But finally, away they go. Not a good start from our point of view of course. A bit like 'Red Arrow' golf, a ball went that way, another went the other way, but settled down they did, and J.D.R. and partner Derek Bath, gave as good as they got against Cardigan's Geoff Fraser and Glyn Davies.

Despite being driven into a couple of times, a captain's game was played out, and John conceded that Derek played like a hero, but he that he did manage to come in on a couple of holes, notably, his birdie two on the 16th. This turned the game a bit, and an evenly fought half was the order of the day.

Following on behind, yes, you might have guessed who would be chastised for the inconsiderate manner, in which the ball was casually driven into the leading captain's group.

But no, it wasn't me or Jim Martin, but a Cardigan member, Brian Young, who lowered his head in a suitable manner, when being publicly chastised by his own captain. Oh woe! Look to your place next week that's all we can say, apart from commiserating, of course.

But both Jim and I had a super game against Brian and his partner Elgyn Davies. Nip and tuck, up and down, we never got more than two up for some time, until a couple of hiccups with the putter, let them in for a one up advantage on the 13th. But a crucial superb 4 nett 3 on the stroke one index 14th by Jim, brought us back into the game, and we finalised by a two up win.

The strong wind and finally the rain, was beginning to take its toll, and Newman Vincent and David Morgan had to concede victory to Geoff Adamson and Alan Wonfor.

"Thank the Lord I'm inside"said Newman, or words to that effect. They did all they could against a spirited pair. From being two up at one stage, the conditions and opponents wore them down.

John Cook played his heart out, said partner David Evans, as a carefully negotiated half was taken against Malcolm Wilson and Don Farthing.

A bit harsh really, as they were three up with four to play at the time. David had come for the first time to a seniors game, with a club tie in his bag. Unfortunately, there was a relaxation of the dress rule due to construction works on the clubhouse.

"Anyway, I feel better in casual mode" said he.

No arms outstretched, and no gazing into the distance for Geoff Aston and Ken Gouldsbrough, as they went down to Roger Mould and Ted Wells.

"A titanic struggle of epic proportions," said Geoff, but it was still a 4 and 3 loss to the Tenby pair.

A basic mistake was made by Malcolm Arlott, as his bedraggled appearance in the cold and damp temporary changing rooms said it all. He had to wait for his travelling partner to appear with the car keys! And waiting about in such surroundings, ain't conducive to a happy face.

His playing partner Des Stone said that the opposition, Peter Talbot and Hywell Richards, spent so much time looking for his balls that they had to take a half and blame it on the rain!

Jack Hasdell and Alan Keating had to concede to Nick Bosk and Fred Curtis, as the Cardigan pair proved too strong, in conditions that they were obviously used to. But from being three down after three, they made a great comeback, and only lost their game on the 18th green.

They consoled one another in the clubhouse after.

But Denzil Thomas and David Rees braved the elements, and really put up a show against Eifion Roberts and Dennis Ludgate.

Being five up with six to play is going some, and Denzil said that David was 'brilliant'. No wonder that Denzil looked pretty content in this picture below. Having a buggy helped as well of course.

"We were three down, but it was apparent from our demeanour, that we were going to win in the end, so the opposing pairing of Mostyn Yeomans and Mike Snow, negotiated a half and blamed it on the weather," said Bob Harries and Colin Griffith. Is there no depth that these senior's will not plumb?

But finally, John Bonar and Mike Fox were not in the mood to negotiate anything but a win, over Hugh Lewis and David Edwards, so they went all the way for a 4 and 3 win, and this in rapidly deteriorating conditions. Great stuff, and a well earned shandy was taken after the game.

It must be noted though, that despite the building works going on, and the disruption to facilities, Messrs Keating, Aston and Bath, are due a special mention for their sartorial turn out. They kept up the standard of dress superbly for Tenby, and put the rest of us to shame!

Captain Geoff Fraser, welcomed the Tenby team to wet and windy Cardigan, but said that was what Cardigan is all about. Sometimes cruel, but more often than not, kind. He also said that a lot of common sense had been shown by some of the results.

John Williams replied, by thanking Geoff and Cardigan for their hospitality and friendly welcome despite the works going on. He thanked steward Pat and his staff for an excellent match meal, and the green-keepers for the condition of the course.

Results: Cardigan names first.

Geoff Fraser and Glyn Davies halved with John Williams and Derek Bath; Elgan Davies and Brian Young lost to John Hancock and Jim Taylor; Geoff Adamson and Alan Wonfor beat Newman Vincent and David Morgan; Malcolm Wilson and Don Farthing halved with David Evans and John Cook; Roger Mould and Ted Wells beat Geoff Aston and Ken Gouldsbrough; Peter Talbot and Hywell Richards halved with Malcolm Arlott and Des Stone; Nick Bosk and Fred Curtis beat Jack Hasdell and Alan Keating; Eifion Roberts and Dennis Ludgate lost to Denzil Thomas and David Rees; Mostyn Yeomans and Mike Snow halved with Colin Griffith and Bob Harries; Hugh Lewis and David Edwards lost to John Bonar and Mike Fox.

Final result: Cardigan 5 Tenby 5.

J.B.H