After a week's break, the Divots were ready to resume the Winter League, with all players having a chance to fine tune their swings. With gales and rain forecast for later in the morning, nobody fancied hanging around.

First away were Richard Chapman and Gavin Field-Thomas looking to secure some points against Kenny Breaker and Roger Schooling. The big hitting Gavin complemented by Richard's iron play, saw them go two up after two holes.

The lead, however, would only last until the fifth hole, by which time the match was brought back to all square, and that is how it stayed up to the 12th hole. Richard and Gavin won the 13th and 14th to go two up going over the line, but Kenny and Roger bounced back on the 16th and 17th to level the match once again and set up an exciting finish.

With pars being order of the day, and with both pairings on the green in regulation, the result was inevitable, a half, although Kenny did say that he conceded a five-footer, as nobody deserved to lose - how generous!

In the post-match interview, Gavin insisted that he played brilliantly, and should be off 15, Eamonn please note! Poor Kenny, meanwhile, had to get out of his sick bed to play, poor chap, must have caught a cold whilst pole dancing in his underpants!

Second away this week saw Niclas Thomas and Martin Durham up against David Douglas-Law and Andrew North, who are making a quiet and steady climb up the table.

This was one of those games where grinding out a score became order of the day, with neither pair performing at their best. A birdie on the ninth saw David and Andrew take a one hole lead at the turn, although this small lead was snuffed out by the 14th, and although the resident crow took a fancy to Andrew's ball on the 14th, no excuses for losing the advantage going over the line would be accepted.

The crow must have spurred the Douglas-Law/North partnership into action, as the next three holes were won with only one ball in play, proving that you really concentrate when you only get one shot at the green; this was enough for another quiet victory!

A scrappy game was the honest opinion, but another three points in the bag as this pair steadily creep up the table.

Third out was the battle at the bottom with Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson up against Gareth Rees and Ian Thomas, with both pairings searching for their first points.

The early pace was set by Loz and Neil, finding themselves in the lead, and proving a shock to the system. With Loz's tennis elbow cured and Neil playing very steadily, the pressure was on for Gareth and Ian to respond to the challenge, but by the eighth hole the all too familiar picture of being four down was there again.

A ding dong battle ensued, with each pairing winning alternate holes. On the 13th, Gareth produced a superb iron shot to four-foot and with a birdie on the 14th, the advantage was halved to two up.

Over the line the pressure told and with Loz and Neil going par, par, victory and three welcome points were safely in the bag.

Neil did say in the post-match interview that it was Loz who lost the weekly Pro-V on the third, followed by "it's only a ball" - now there's a comment to remember!

Last away saw Michael Schooling and Nigel Ayers against Adam 'Elvis' Joseph and Mike Anthony, who occupy title favourites position.

Starting with pars, the standard was set from the off, and with determination in both pairings, pars would have to be order of the day. This was how it proved to be until the 14th, by which time Elvis and Mike had gone two up.

Elvis, driving to within 50 yards of the 15th green, saw a chance of a birdie, but disbelief was all over his face as he saw Mike unbelievably chip it on to the railway line!

With a little less conversation and a suspicious mind, the lead had gone by the 16th courtesy of some fine play by Michael and Nigel. This was no time for gimmies, and with Elvis caught in a trap on 17, the look of horror was etched on Nigel's face when a sandy par ensued! - enough to secure the hole.

On 18, with the green hit in regulation, putting would be for victory, and when Nigel slid his putt three-foot past and Elvis rolled his to within inches, it was concessions all round. Now Nigel is not known for his gimmies, and broadcasting a huge smile, thanked his opponents for their generosity and great sportsmanship in giving the half, only to be told by Michael that the half was for that hole, which was played when they stood on the 18th tee one down, never mind Nige!

Richard Morton and Ron Johns had a walkover this week as Mickey Barrett was on holiday and Steve Evans was injured, rules stating that two substitutes cannot play together - an easy three points for Richard and Ron.

With Steve visiting the doctor and being advised to rest his bad neck, he has decided to retire from this year's Winter League, and will be replaced by Mark Duckett. A loss on a Sunday lunchtime, Steve is one of those great characters who will be missed, just tell Linda not to strangle you so hard next time!

No game last week for Tim Edwards and Laurence Lindsay, who in their absence were deposed at the top. I'm sure normal service will be restored on Sunday.

Results were as follows: R. Chapman and G. Field-Thomas halved with K. Breaker and R. Schooling; D. Douglas-Law and A. North bt N. Thomas and M. Durham 3 and 1; L. Phillips and N. Dickinson bt G. Rees and I. Thomas 3 and 2; A. Joseph and M. Anthony bt M. Schooling and N. Ayers 1 up; R. Morton and R. Johns bt M. Barrett and S. Evans walkover.