With only two matches remaining in the Divots Winter League, last Sunday saw a test of nerve for the pairings involved in battles at both the top and bottom of the table.

First away saw the sun-tanned Steve Evans, substituting for the big hitting Nigel 'have it' Ayers, partnering Michael Schooling against Mickey Barrett and Mark Duckett. Now I know it was cold on Sunday, but the thought of four Divots -potential members of Tenby's DGU team - agreeing a half because of the cold after 14 holes, had even the Rabbits questioning their bottle. But alas, only a point each per pairing, rules are rules and all that you know!

Second away saw the big hitting pair of Richard Chapman and Gavin Field-Thomas up against Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson in a bottom-of-the-league battle. Loz and bottom of the league doesn't quite sound right somehow, and he and Neil started like a train, having only five putts in the first four holes.

With the wind strengthening, the eighth proved particularly tricky, with Gavin teeing the ball up and despite an almighty effort, missing it completely! Never mind Gav, it happens to the best of us!

Under pressure playing the 16th, and needing to be up and down from just short of the green, Gavin stated that there was a big clot behind the ball, with Loz agreeing, claiming that he was wearing a white hat and had a wedge in his hand!

With Loz and Neil dormie 2 up playing the 17th, a superb birdie from Richard and Gavin kept the pressure on, but having to get up and down on the last, they just failed in a quest for a share of the honours.

Next away saw Adam 'Elvis' Joseph reunited with partner Mike Anthony against the bottom pairing of Gareth Rees and Ian Thomas. With fire in the belly after last week's defeat, Elvis tried to drive the first green. Come on, was the cry, how bad do you want it! Quite a bit apparently, as two holes later, Elvis drove into the valley on the third!

Two ahead and in control, what hope for the potential spoonists? Only three up after 10 though, and spluttering along, the hyper Elvis was in no mood to take prisoners, and with Gareth almost pulling his hair out at his partner's play - air shot as well - enough was enough by the 13th. Points in the bag, the King is in the building!

Meanwhile, Richard Morton and Ron Johns, the previous week's conquerors of Elvis, were locked in battle with Andrew North and substitute Rob Hall, in for David Douglas-Law, who apparently wanted another sleep in.

Richard and Ron, after last week's heroism, had designs on the runners-up spot. However, following Richard's course damaging tee-shot on the sixth that went all of about four feet via the chain post, the writing was on the wall. Andrew's power driving coupled with Rob's sublime iron play, was enough to put Richard and Ron to the sword - oh, and the small matter of giving six shots. Bandits, was the cry, sour grapes was the taste!

The other potential league winners, Tim Edwards and Laurence Lindsay, were up against Kenny Breaker, again with substitute Martin Morris, due to Roger Schooling still recovering from a week on the Superbox beer!

'A tense and edgy game,' were the comments, with Tim and Laurence's birdie on the sixth and Kenny and Martin's on the 10th, being the highlights. 'Poor golf,' was the comment, but even if it took an eternity, it was the result that mattered, with Tim and Laurence keeping up the pressure at the top-of-the-table.

Next week sees the last league game of the season, with the top and bottom positions still to be settled.

At the top, the game of the day will see Adam 'Elvis' Joseph and Mike Anthony, who have been removed from top spot - albeit alphabetically -playing league leaders Tim Edwards and Laurence Lindsay, with the winners being crowned Divots champions - no pressure there then!

At the bottom, Gareth Rees and Ian Thomas must win against David Douglas-Law and Andrew North. A half would only see a play-off for the wooden spoon against Kenny Breaker and Roger Schooling. However, should Kenny and Roger win or gain a half against Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson, then they would be safe from being wooden spoonists.

Results were as follows: S. Evans and M. Schooling halved with M. Barrett and M. Duckett; L. Phillips and N. Dickinson bt R. Chapman and G. Field-Thomas 1 up; A. Joseph and M. Anthony bt G. Rees and I. Thomas 6 and 5; A. North and R. Hall bt R. Morton and R. Johns 2 up; T. Edwards and L. Lindsay bt K. Breaker and M. Morris 3 and 2.

Chicken lurve

On a bitterly cold morning, that seemed to grab the ends of your fingers and give them a painful squeeze, there was a cheerful note. A Valentine's card for Vince Shaw! This was sent by our new Scandinavian member, Laup Yeldarb. It must be the first time ever, that a chief Chicken has received a Valentine. "That's the fourth one I've had," said Vince, "and it's the only one I didn't pay for." But Laup's two-shot handicap increase that was so generously given previously, looked in danger of being taken away quite sharpish!

Jim Martin thanked Vince for his reduction from the previous week, and promptly fell right into the booby trap! These Chickens will never learn, will they?

Two new members, Idwal David and John McDonald, thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the cold, but their scores didn't really reflect their potential. Plenty of time gents, plenty of time. Bill Morgan came in from the cold, so to speak, appearing for the first time for ages. Nice to see you back on the links Bill.

Someone who may be asking for putting lessons is Fred Adlam. After taking 17 putts during his negotiation of the first five holes, a normally 'steady Eddie' was looking a bit frayed about the edges, and couldn't really find a good excuse for his lapse. It couldn't have been Meurig or Neil's fault could it? Anyway, he perked up a bit on the next 10 holes with a better average.

Mickey Johnston, on his eventual arrival, promptly ordered a mayonnaise bun, and gave everybody who was in close proximity, the benefit of his largesse. His shoes didn't escape either! "A pity," said Vince, "it didn't clog up his calculator."

Plenty of scores in the 25 and 26 points range, which brought out the plaintive cries about the cold, but it didn't stop Ken Gouldsbrough from getting the only two on the ninth, and this meant that he earned as much as the eventual winners. Don't win too much Ken, or you will get cut and not even have been in the frame.

Nice to see so many out playing as well. There were 44 Chickens scratching around, quite like old times.

Malcolm Arlott and Bart Youll shared the top spot with 29 points. Bart has been 'seen to' by the club's handicap secretary, but it hasn't seeped through to the Chickens yet. He will have to put up with his two-week reduction in the sin bin as a short term punishment.

We won't be seeing Dudley Williams for a while either. He is going off on a world cruise or something with his choir. Enjoy yourself Dudley, and I'm sure you'll be thinking of us here back home.

Scores on the board: 1. Malcolm Arlott and Bart Youll 29 pts (£2.20 each); 3. Colin Smith and Clifton John 27 pts (£1.30 each); 5. Jim Taylor, Barry Frayne, Owen Monaghan, Jim Hinchliffe and Des Stone 26 pts (60p each).

Twos: Ken Gouldsbrough (£2.20). Booby: Jim Martin (30p). Entries: 44.