'Eagle' spotted by Divots at the Burrows
A brief respite from the recent dismal weather produced a dry morning for last Sunday's Divots winter league matches. Without the need for wind and waterproof clothing, players once again looked forward to battling against their opponents rather than the elements.
Nick Rogers and Ken Goldsborough were hoping to continue their recent winning form. Playing against Gavin Field-Thomas and Martin Morris, substituting for Alan Morton, Nick and Ken must have fancied their chances after securing an eagle two on the long par four 10th hole. A huge drive by Nick left Ken with a 130-yard approach shot to the green, which he duly hit into the hole. Martin and 'The Walrus', with a shot on their opponents, just missed a long putt for a three, which in effect would have halved the hole. Martin and Gavin, however, were undaunted by this demonstration of golfing prowess, and battled on to finally secure a 3 and 1 victory on the 17th hole.
Top of the table pairing Nicklas Thomas and Neil Dickinson faced David Douglas-Law and Barrie Frayne. After a promising start, David and Barrie found themselves one up after four, and were already anticipating a celebratory drink back in the clubhouse. It was not to be, the excesses of the previous night soon took their toll, and by the turn Nick and Neil were two up. The consistency and accuracy of their game produced pars on the next four holes and steered the league leaders to a comprehensive 6 and 5 win, and an extended victory march from the far reaches of the course.
Title contenders Richard Chapman and Laurence Lindsey were pitted against David Ayers and Ian Jarvis. With the wind a lesser factor than in recent weeks, young David was able to maintain his balance on the tee, which undoubtedly helped him and his partner secure a comfortable 3 and 1 victory. This loss will dent Richard and Laurence's title aspirations, but they have yet to play the leaders, and could still be in contention at season's end.
Chris Hughes and Matthew Evans, also looking to add silverware to their cupboards, were playing against Gareth Rees and Martin Durham, languishing at the bottom of the table. On paper this looked like a formality, but determination to avoid the wooden spoon is motivation enough and Gareth and Martin found themselves one up with only the last hole to play. On the green, Martin missed a 10-foot putt for outright victory, leaving Matthew a testy four-footer which he sank to win the hole and square this hard fought battle. The result lifts Gareth and Martin from the foot of the table.
After another defeat, Rob Hall and Vince Shaw are now in that unenviable wooden spoon position. Playing against Loz Phillips and Andrew Morton, substituting for Steve Evans, Rob and Vince had got off to a poor start, demonstrated by what was almost an air shot by an out-of-form Rob. With only the thinnest of contacts, the ball travelled only feet off the first tee. Three down and three to play, Vince and Rob didn't give up and battled on, but finally succumbed to Loz and Andrew on the penultimate hole.
The Schooling family were again acting as substitutes this week. Roger Schooling, substituting for Kenny Breaker, partnering Alan Yates, found himself playing against his son Michael Schooling, substituting for Nigel Ayers, partnering Richard Morton. With both teams in the bottom half of the table and desperate for points to avoid relegation, a close match was always on the cards. The game duly went to the last hole, where it was the age and experience of Roger and Alan which triumphed over the youth and uninhibited talent of Richard and Michael - or perhaps it was dad's threat to ground his son if he dared have the audacity to beat him!
Schooling Snr. has now played more matches as a sub than some of the regular players. Perhaps next season he will be tempted to join the league full-time. He would be very welcome, as would young Michael (and all the other subs who fill in throughout the winter)
This week's results see the league leaders consolidate their position, while at the bottom only two points separate the last five pairing. There is still much to play for in the coming weeks.
Results were as follows: N. Thomas and N. Dickinson bt D. Douglas-Law and B. Frayne 6 and 5; D. Ayers and I. Jarvis bt R. Chapman and L. Lindsey 3 and 1; M. Morris and G. Field-Thomas bt N. Rogers and K. Goldsborough 2 and 1; L. Phillips and A. Morton bt V. Shaw and R. Hall 2 and 1; R. Schooling and A. Yates bt R. Morton and M. Schooling one hole; G. Rees and M. Durham halved with C. Hughes and M. Evans.
The following matches are scheduled for this Sunday: V. Shaw and R. Hall v C. Hughes and M. Evans; A. Joseph and G. Waring v G. Rees and M. Durham; K. Breaker and A. Yates v N. Thomas and N. Dickinson; R. Chapman and L. Lindsey v R. Morton and N. Ayers; N. Rogers and K. Goldsborough v D. Douglas-Law and B. Frayne; L. Phillips and S. Evans v D. Ayers and I. Jarvis.
Rabbits captain in a stew over confession!
On this the glorious 12th of the Rabbits Winter League classic, the early risers were questioning the relevance of the Divots celebrations. Finding the clubhouse unusually quiet without the dulcet tones of our leader, word had it that the rumours were indeed true.
Our captain, the great one, exploring darkest Africa in search of that endangered species, the great summer league rabbit, had stumbled across some pygmies, despite being warned to keep off the shorts! Fleeing in desperation and driving the wrong way - these cack-handers are all the same - he found himself captured by the tootsies, a result of taking his socks off when wearing sandals!
Finding himself in the boiling pot over the camp fire, the temperature rising, protestations of innocence were dismissed. Then our leader confessed: "Eamonn you've been right all along, I'm not a rabbit."
The shock was too much to take for his captors who, despite looking forward to some rabbit stew, felt their appetite disappearing quicker than a winning score on Ace's medal card! Sorry boys, but yes, it's true, as you read this, the denials have already reached the handicap committee. Order shall be restored on Sunday RAA!
Back to what really matters and first away this week after an early night were Tom Pritchard and John Murcott against wooden spoon contenders Ron Murphy and Stephen Harries. The shock of an early night was obviously not agreeing with Tom, and he and John found themselves three down after four. Resolve is abundant in Kiwis and as the battle continued, the match was squared going down the 18th. All to play for and Tom made amends for the previous week by securing the victory with some delectable putting, or so he says!
New league leaders Colin Smith and Ian Thomas had a tense battle against Fred Adlam and Brian Dooley, with the lead changing hands a couple of times before Colin and Ian held on to secure the win by a margin of 3 and 2, keeping them on course for the title.
One of the matches of the day was due to have been the clash at the bottom end of the table between Glyn Price and John Murphy against Peter Moss and George Spain. However, this was not to be, as a substitute was unable to be found to stand in for John, resulting in Peter and George having a walkover and collecting two valuable points.
The other match of the day was a clash at the top between title contenders Dave Moran with substitute Wyn Hopkins and Brian Hartley and John Davies. A tight game ensued, with the lead changing hands several times and jangling nerves resulting in some missed short putts. Pressure, what pressure? One up going down the last, Dave and Wyn secured victory with a half on the 18th green to keep their title challenge alive.
Brian and John will be glad to see the back of super-sub Wyn, in the nicest possible way, as he has now secured two victories over them and may have cost them some silverware!
The Mike Anthony and John Stevenson dream team were reunited this week, looking for victory over Phil Carpenter and substitute Derek Bath. Now John, a nice chap, has got his partner worried. All he goes on about are his references to the bible, the putting bible that is. Say what you like, but it seems to be working.
A battle for the tag of 'Rabbit big boys' has been taken up by the dream team, and your correspondent can report seeing their drives 50 yards past the 150 stick on the 10th. Nobody can live with that and consequently a victory by 4 and 3 resulted.
George Pegg and Steven Watkins, comfortable in mid-table, took on sub John Cook, standing in for Phillip Marsden, and Phillip Watkins, who have been in free fall since December when they were second in the league.
A blistering start by George and Steven saw them three up after the third, a position that players of their calibre were never likely to lose, and they were merrily singing Hi Ho walking up the 11th, courtesy of a 7 up cushion, before eventually running out 6 and 4 winners.
Ray Bowen and Peter Cray happily secured a walkover against Peter Watkins and Mike Munro due to lack of available substitutes.
Clive Law and Jonathon Broome, an ever-improving partnership, dished out driving lessons to Dave Morgan and Gordon Glaves, winning four holes on the trot and holding steady for a 5 and 4 victory. This was their second such win in successive weeks, but alas too late for title honours.
Results were as follows T. Pritchard and J. Murcott bt R. Murphy and S. Harries 1 up; C. Smith and I. Thomas bt F. Adlam and B. Dooley 3 and 2; Moss and G. Spain bt G. Price and J. Murphy w.o.; D. Moran and W. Hopkins bt B. Hartley and J. Davies 1 up; M. Anthony and J. Stevenson bt P. Carpenter and D. Bath 4 and 3; G. Pegg and S. Watkins bt J. Cook and P. Watkins 6 and 4; R. Bowen and P. Cray bt P. Watkins and M. Munro w.o.; C. Law and J. Broome bt D. Morgan and G. Glaves 5 and 4.