The pivotal moment in the Seniors' calendar had arrived and both teams were primed and ready - well they thought they were ready. The great occasion? - why, the Captain versus the Vice-captain's match, of course.

Seniors captain, Brian Waters, had selected his band of warriors and then he saw the selection of his vice-captain, Bob Howse. He scratched his head and began to reflect on the group he had assembled. Ah well! There was nothing he could do, the decision had been made.

Such is the intensity and rivalry with this fixture that a few thought better of it and withdrew their names from the list, one even claiming that he had fallen off his bike!

Brian Waters had wisely chosen his chancellor, Stan Hudson, to bring the best out of him. Bob had chosen the club chancellor, Ken Gouldsbrough, as his steadying influence. And so the opening skirmish in this epic battle commenced.

First blood went to the captain as he bumbled his way down the first fairway and amazed the group by sinking a 20-foot putt to claim the hole, with a six, net five.

It seems that the captain's putter was red hot and so it proved, as he and Stan, steady Stan that is, opened up a sizeable lead. Bob and Ken were fighting a rearguard action and the best they could do was to win only two holes in the round.

The last five holes were played in a very relaxed manner. That was because the match was over and the vice-captain had to bow to his captain's quality golf. He trudged off, head hung low, muttering some words of praise under his breath.

Opening manoeuvre to the leader - how would his team respond? Behind this four-ball was another epic confrontation. Richard Davies was paired with secret weapon, Roy Gundry, and they were charged with the task of outflanking the vice-captain's inspired choice of Peter Williams and Russell Clark.

Peter continued his run of good form and with the help of his friend, Russell, put the pressure on the enigmatic left-hander. On this occasion, the secret weapon failed in his attempt to nullify the quality golf on display. His quick-fired, rat-a-tat of comments and witticisms (for want of a better word) washed over the v.c.'s pair like water off a duck's back and they edged ahead. Richard claimed that Roy was awesome, but then conceded that Peter was more awesome. This match lasted longer than the first, at least it went to the 16th.

So - one match each. Chris Sierwald charged manfully up the hill to take out all the bunkers, but found it a hill too steep. His partner was one of those who declined the invitation to play and so, on his own, he was outgunned by the v.c.'s adjutants, Martin Neilan and Dave Miller. Chris was delighted as he entered the locker room. 'I actually won a hole!' he declared, 'That frightened them for a minute.' When asked if that was the highlight of his game, he decreed that it was not the highlight, it was the only light!

Martin had to keep Dave's game in focus during the round. When he missed a short putt to win a hole, he was told that when you have a man under the cosh, you cosh him some more!

One or two combatants were seen to be wandering in unusual places during the afternoon, such was the nervous state they were in. Balls were flying in all directions, particularly from the match involving Owen Monaghan and Des Stone who were fighting for supremacy against Bart Youll and Nigel Rimell. All four appeared to be out of sorts as frustration was vented toward club and ball on many holes. Yet those holes that were won were won with pars. Bart and Nigel went two up, only to be pegged back, with the match all-square after nine holes. Owen and Des crept ahead, more through opposition mistakes than their own prowess, until the match ended on the 17th.

Two left-handers were put together by the captain in an attempt to out-manoeuvre Jack Hasdell and Bob Creese. It didn't quite work out that way as Malcolm Arlott failed to galvanise Brian Morgan into action. He claimed that they couldn't get going and that Brian moaned and groaned and played atrocious, for most of the time. On the other hand, Bob played the par three holes to near perfection and was supported by Jack's superb display of putting. Did they take the honours, though? This was the only match that ended in a half as Malcolm and Brian did enough to call a truce with a par on the 18th.

Another inspired pairing by the captain involved John Hall and Tony Morgan. They found themselves up against the in-form Robin Hagley, who had Doug Havard to support him. Such was their golf that Robin and Doug sailed into a comfortable lead on the front nine. Complacency set in as they thought they only had to play out the holes to give their vice-captain a boost.

Then Tony and John woke up, gave themselves a good talking to, and set about turning the tables. John was consistent in parring the par five holes and Tony supported his efforts as between them they clawed their way back into the game and took over to win by four and three.

The team result was in the balance. To retain his pride, Brian Waters had to rely on JDR Williams and Rob Wilkins to overcome the challenge of Peter Woodhouse and Colin Griffith. All four declared that this was a brilliant match, though Rob conceded that his short game is not quite what it used to be. However, it was a match played out to the last. Colin and Peter played well as a pair, with Colin being more than a bit handy with the putter, to support Peter in winning holes.

They were one up on the 18th and JDR and Rob needed the last to force a half. Sadly they could not rise to the occasion and had to report to their captain that pure enjoyment was all they could manage.

Brian Waters had to be content with winning his match, while Bob Howse bathed in the reflected glory of winning the campaign.

Brian Morgan extracted more money for charity from the teams and provided Bob Howse with his only win of the day - a raffle prize. Others joining him were - Doug Havard, Bart Youll and Stan Hudson.

Jim Martin made a point of expressing his gratitude to the following seniors for the help they provided during the Eagle competition on the previous Sunday:

Richard Davies, Ken Gouldsbrough, Brian Morgan, Bob Creese, Stan Hudson, Philip Marsden.

Results: B. Waters and S. Hudson beat B. Howse and K. Gouldsbrough 6 and 5; Richard Davies and R. Gundry lost to P. Williams and R. Clark 3 and 2; N. Rimell and B. Youll lost to O. Monoghan and D. Stone 2 and 1; C. Sierwald lost M. Neilan and D. Miller 7 and 5; J. Hall and T. Morgan beat R. Hagley and D. Havard 4 and 3; JDR Williams and R. Wilkins lost to P. Woodhouse and C. griffith 2 down.