With matches arranged for four successive Thursdays from July 26, Trefloyne Seniors, determined to get the sequence off to a winning start, took the first of these, the away fixture at St. David's, so seriously that Brian Cowley slipped over a week early to 'recce' course conditions.
Greens and fairways were in superb condition for the match which took place in glorious sunshine.
Seniors captain 'Birdseye' Wharton and his partner, Roger Thompson, were in fine form as they won the top match 2 and 1, while the second pair out, Barry Thorne and Paul Griffiths, recorded the visitors' best win of the day, 6 and 5. Ken Webster and Clive John lost 2 and 1, and Pat Corcoran and George King earned half a point in the day's closest match.
Three other pairs posted Trefloyne wins. These were Roger Cryer and David Owen, 2 and 1, Mike Kemp and John Smith 4 and 2, and Tom Fletcher and Terry Whiston one up. Alas, although Brian Cowley registered a rare eagle, his scouting jaunt proved fruitless as he and Chic Brown went down 5 and 4.
Final score: Trefloyne 5.5 St. David's 2.5.
A week later, the Seniors came down to earth with a bump. Round two of the four always looked a dicey fixture, as Trefloyne's zimmer boys accepted a challenge from Trefloyne Juniors.
It proved to be a hugely exciting contest, hard fought by the nine pairs on each side.
Results (Seniors first): G. Wharton and R. Thompson lost 5 and 4 to N. Lewis and B. Edwards; J. Smith and P. Jenkinson lost 4 and 3 to T. Hilling and L. Laidler; J. Cliff and C. John bt A. Evans and R. Thomas 2 and 1; G. King and P. Corcoran lost to J. Thomas and D. Brace one down; C. French and B. Thorne bt J. Maxwell and M. Birch one up; N. Thomas and T. Pollock lost 3 and 2 to A. Thomas and L. Gwyther; B. Cowley and B. Maxwell bt S. Best and A. Townsend 3 and 2; K. Webster and T. Fletcher bt A. Birch and J. Robinson one up; D. Owen and R. Cryer lost 4 and 3 to D. Warren and C. Thompson.
With so many close finishes, it really was a fine match and the outcome was a narrow, but deserved, 5-4 victory to the Juniors in the first, but surely not the last, Juniors v Seniors.
Luke Laidler won the nearest the pin, and four Junior pairs won special prizes for returning home with their 'golden' ball (the pairs started with one 'golden' ball that was used on alternate holes by each player, the object being to bring that ball home safe and sound).
The Seniors were due to play Newport (Pembs.) at home yesterday (to be reported next week) and visit Haverfordwest on August 16.
Brian Cowley was in rampant form for the Bogey competition on Saturday, July 28, finishing six up against the course. The handicap secretary passed his card to his committee members, inviting them to do the necessary. And they did, with considerable pleasure, I'm sure!
Barry Thorne also played well to finish two up, and Peter Scourfield was third, all square.
Six 2s were registered, so it was a poor payout - two each for Cowley and Steve Wedlake, and one apiece for Thorne and Rob Evans.
Meurig Evans won the stableford on Tuesday, July 31. He played beautifully for 42 points. Paul Griffiths also played well for 40, and Terry Whiston was third with 35.
Trefloyne Juniors have started a summer league, with the best six scores from eight rounds to count. After the first round, played on July 29, Tom Hilling leads with 40 points. Ashley Evans and Nathan Lewis each have 39, and Daniel Brace, James Maxwell and James Thomas all have 37.