Looking to have another positive result, especially at home, the Tenby Seniors entertained Newport (Pembs) for the first of the home and away fixtures. A nice day, with a bit of a cool breeze, that kept the perspiration from running into the eyes, and spoiling the putting line.

Leading out the teams were John D. R.Williams and Roy Morgan, along with Newport's captain Ralph Nicholas, and Tony Bailey. A black tie day for J. D. R., though, as he and Roy lost their game by 2 and 1. Apparently it was the red hot putting that swung the game, and the cruncher came on the 17th, when a super pitch in from the ridge on the right-hand side, stopped dead by the hole.

"We played reasonably well," said Roy, "but just couldn't get that vital hole in front."

The next two games went right down to the last putt on the 18th green, and both were lost causes for Tenby.

Malcolm Arlott and Owen Monaghan were disappointed not to have taken their game against Roy Harper and Malcolm Jack. David Morgan and Jack Hasdell had a humdinger against Graham Thomas and Glan Rees. They were three down after four, but then had a purple patch, going one up after nine. Unfortunately, David had mechanical trouble with his trolley - the wheels fell off or something - and he was exhausted by the time he came to the 18th. That's David's excuse anyway.

Ken Gouldsbrough and Tony Morris turned the screws well and truly against Gareth Evans and Dai Thomas. The game finished on the 12th, with Gareth and Dai saying that they played quite well after that!

An excellent game between Roy Gundry and Hywel Probert and Chris James and Cyril Smith seesawed back and forth, until a super 12-foot putt on the 18th from Roy put Tenby back in the hunt again.

Newman Vincent and John Hancock started off in a nervous manner, and were quickly three down, but by dint of a couple of birdies and rock steady play from Newman, they saw the game turn about, and a fine 4 and 3 win put the match back on an even keel, prompting the Newport pair to say they had been given a lesson. Thanks boys.

Geoff Aston and Bob Storey were disappointed that they went out at game number seven, because as Geoff said: "If we had gone out first or second, we would have beaten Wayne Harries and Terry Grover (pictured below) by the same amount that they beat us." The logic of that escapes me, but apparently the Newport pair were homing in like Exocets on every hole, and the final nail was a 22-foot putt on the 12th.

Oh dear, Newport had taken the overall lead and the spectre of 2002 was looming.

But comic heroes were coming to the rescue, and Vince Shaw and Jim Taylor rode into the picture, and a cracking game was promised and delivered, with Alan Griffiths and Tony Hemmings fighting to the end.

"It should have been a half really," said Vince, "but was glad it wasn't." Great game with yet another one up on the 18th for Tenby.

As was Des Stone and Allan Keating's game against Rhiddian Smith and Colin Mundy, with an excellent three on the long 14th one of the highlights of the win, and a well-earned lemonade was the reward in the clubhouse afterwards.

Allan's dress sense by the way is usually immaculate, with suit and tie making him a very dapper figure indeed, but for once, the illusion was shattered, as, to quote Roy Morgan: "It looked like Allan was dressed by Salvador Dali." Not having his normal freshly ironed shirt with him, he had to resort to the daffodil look, along with a clashing tie.

But Allan (pictured above) had the last laugh really, as being a member of the Pembrokeshire Wheelers, wearing a yellow 'jersey' came quite naturally to him, being a race leader. But you take all the fun in good spirit Allan, and that says everything about our Senior section.

Finally, Clifton John and Derek Bath came home with a 5 and 3 win under their belt against Ian Peters and Tony Greatrex, and this prompted the Newport pair to ask Tenby to look at the handicaps a bit more closely, as Clifton was almost driving some of the par 4s. Well, the short ones anyway, so this win put Tenby in the clear, and it made John D. R. think about buying the first round for his team, but sanity prevailed.

But after a filling match meal, he welcomed Newport's captain, Ralph Nicholas, and his team, and said that he was most thankful that Tenby were able to redress the 2002 loss, but that the excellent camaraderie that highlights these meetings was the real winner. So say all of us.

Captain Ralph thanked John and Tenby, and also thanked Mac, Fay and Linda for the match meal, and passed on his thanks also to the green staff for the course presentation, and said that it was great to play on a championship course. He also looked forward to beating Tenby at Newport later in the year.

Results: John D. R.Williams and Roy Morgan lost to Ralph Nicholas and Tony Bailey 2 and 1; Malcolm Arlott and Owen Monaghan lost to Roy Harper and Malcolm Jack 1 down; David Morgan and Jack Hasdell lost to Graham Thomas and Glan Rees 1 down; Ken Gouldsbrough and Tony Morris bt Gareth Evans and Dai Thomas 7 and 6; Roy Gundry and Hywel Probert bt Chris James and Cyril Smith 1 up; John Hancock and Newman Vincent bt Philip Turner and Roy Phillips 4 and 3; Geoff Aston and Bob Storey lost to Wayne Harries and Terry Grover 7 and 6; Vince Shaw and Jim Taylor bt Alan Griffiths and Tony Hemmings 1 up; Des Stone and Allan Keating bt Rhiddian Smith and Colin Mundy 1 up; Derek Bath and Clifton John bt Ian Peters and Tony Greatrex 5 and 3:

Tenby 6, Newport (Pembs) 4.

J.B.H.