Last Thursday, Tenby Seniors entertained Milford, and the weather could not have been better. After the previous day of damp, cold conditions, a warm day blossomed with blue skies and many a pair of shorts was sported plus some Panama hats. Along with this, a rare bird was seen on Tenby's ninth, but more of that later. Captain Des Stone had Brian Temple as his partner this week; they were playing against Milford captain, Roy John, who had lost every game so far this season, and was partnered by Peter Ryder. Des was feeling in a very sympathetic mood and allowed Roy to win his first game. Peter, however, said that Roy had not been picking the right partner. Peter won the first hole, and they were never down after that. Despite the Milford pair doing very well, Des and Brian hung on very well when Milford thought they were winning holes; Brian put in some good drives, but the second shots let him down. In the end, a jubilant Roy John was pleased to record his first win of the season on the 16th green. Brian Waters and Bob Howse halved the first two holes in regulation golf against Owain Picton and Billy Hier; Billy, a smart alec, then put Milford one up on the third hole. The next three holes were halved in pars. With a five net four, Billy then won the seventh. On the next hole, Brian scrambled a four and then won the ninth with a four and by the 10th they were all-square. The next three holes were all halved; then Milford won the 14th; the game continued to sway backwards and forwards and went to the 18th, with Tenby needing a four to halve the match. This was achieved by Bob Howse, to give them an honourable half. Jim Martin, playing his third game in as many days, was partnered by Newman Vincent. They were playing against a very fine pair in the shape of George Davies and Gareth Rees. Newman was the first out of the blocks, recording a par four on the first to put Tenby one up. On the next hole, with George on the second green for two, Jim produced a gem of a shot, playing a delicate pitch over the bunker to stop his ball six inches from the hole for his third shot; the resultant four was good enough to win the hole when George, stunned, three- putted. The third was lost to a nett birdie, before Jim put them back two up on the Bell hole. George reduced the deficit on the sixth, which remained that way until the ninth. Both George and Gareth hit fantastic drives on the ninth, with Gareth's ball only 20 feet below the pin. George then proceeded to steal Gareth's thunder by chipping his second shot into the hole with a seven-iron from 30 yards out, for a rare eagle two! Jim restored the lead with a net birdie on the 10th and then put them two up with a fine three on the 12th. Despite maintaining a two-hole lead with a deft chip to two inches from the pin on the next hole from Jim, the Milford pair played superb golf, finishing off the match on the 17th with a birdie two. In the fourth game, vice-captain Roy Morgan, partnered by Hywel Probert, lost the first two holes against Albert Webb and Brian Keen. Hywel reduced the deficit to one hole with a fine birdie on the fifth; on the sixth, Brian putted in for a two from 20 yards. Not to be outdone, Hywel equalled that from 19 yards. Hywel complained of sore shoulders through carrying Roy up to the 12th; from there, though, Roy played his part. The Tenby pair eventually won on the 15th hole because of local knowledge to give Tenby their first win. Despite Roy Gundry getting a birdie two when he played his tee shot to within a foot of the pin on the sixth, he and partner Ken Gouldsbrough found themselves dormie four down coming off 14 against Alan Morris and Bill Laugharne. Ken reduced the deficit to two when he won the 15th and 16th, before Roy put another tee shot to within a foot of the pin on the 17th hole. Roy's delight was soured when the Milford pair pointed out that he played his tee shot from the wrong side of the tee! This made Roy feel very annoyed as both the Milford players were well wide of the green with their shots. With Ken out of the hole, the Milford pair took the match. At this stage, Milford captain, Roy John, was feeling very jubilant, greeting his players on the 18th green and seeing that they were leading the match 3.5 to 1.5. Roy, unfortunately, was counting his chickens before they hatched and not realising Tenby had a strong tail. In the sixth match, Geoff Aston returned to form, which was just as well, as his partner Doug Harvard had an indifferent day, although he did win the 15th when the others lost their ball. In the early part of the match, pars were not proving sufficient, as Tony Goodridge, partnered by Geoff Davies, was getting nett birdies. Tony, whose brother Phil is a member of Tenby, reckons he is better looking than him. However, his good looks never helped him to win the match, with the Milford pair losing on the 16th. Billy Webb and partner Dom Gianuzzi, of Milford, think that there is something wrong with Owen Monaghan's handicap! So what's new there, so do most of the Tenby Seniors. Owen, partnered this week by Colin Griffith, had one of his regular purple patches, or perhaps I should have said red! With Owen in such fine form, the others just stood back and admired his display... Come on you reds! With Owen in such an unstoppable mood the match was all over by the time they reached the 15th green. It was on the same green that the next match ended between Stan Hudson and J. D. R. Williams, against John Laugharne and Steve Brown. Stan was back to his full form this week and played exceptional golf. Even when the Milford pair thought they were going to win a hole on the seventh, Stan slotted an excellent 15-yard putt for a half. Another difficulty that the Milford pair had was playing the new holes. John said it was a joy to play with Stan when he is in such fine form. Jack Hasdell and Jim Taylor were up against a nine- handicapper, Gordon Aberham, partnered by Tony Waldies. Gordon found it very difficult giving five shots on a course he'd never played before, especially playing against two such steady players as Jack and Jim, with the latter winning on the 17th hole. Jim said afterwards he sympathised with Gordon when he recalled he often found it hard to give that many shots. In the final match, octogenarian Rob Wilkins was so competitive that even when his partner David Morgan was only eight inches away from the hole on the 13th, he sunk his eight-foot putt to win the hole. This had resulted from a good drive, a duffed second shot, followed by chip to eight-foot from the pin and sinking the putt! Twice Tenby were down against Ken Roper and Tudor Thomas, before Tenby crept ahead on the 10th. According to Tudor, the German is improving! The game finally ended on the 15th green in Tenby's favour. Captain Des Stone spoke very highly of Peter Ryder (Roy John's partner) saying how well he played. He went on say how pleased he was that weather had behaved itself for the visit of Milford and gave a couple of amusing stories, which I am unable to repeat here! Roy responded to Des's welcome and said how Milford loved playing Tenby, but that his team did find it difficult to handle Tenby's fast, but accurate greens. However, they thought the course was in outstanding condition and the green staff deserved praise. Tom went on to praise Lynne and her staff for the excellent steak meal that was very well received. Results: Des Stone and Brian Temple lost to Roy John and Peter Ryder 3 and 2; Brian Waters and Bob Howse halved with Owain Picton; Jim Martin and Newman Vincent lost to Gareth Rees and George Davies 2 and 1; Roy Morgan and Hwyel Probert beat Albert Webb and Brian Keen 5 and 3; Roy Gundry and Ken Goldsbrough lost to Alan Morris and Bill Laugharne 3 and 1; Geoff Aston and Doug Harvard beat Tony Goodridge and Geoff Davies 3 and 2; Owen Monaghan and Colin Griffith beat Billy Webb and Dom Giannuzi 6 and 5; Stan Hudson and J. D. R. Williams beat Steve Brown and John Laugharne 6 and 5; Jack Hasdell and Jim Taylor beat Gordon Aberham and Tony Waldies 3 and 1; Dave Morgan and Rob Wilkins beat Ken Roper and Tudor Thomas 5 and 3. A win for Tenby 6.5 to 3.5.

J.D.M.