Following the previous week's warning about a slow start, this week the Divots were almost fighting to get off the tee at first light.

With the scheduled order being reshuffled due to Chris Hughes having a midday engagement, he and Nigel Ayers led the way in their match against Michael Schooling and Gavin Field-Thomas. It was a mid-table match that was as close as could be, with Michael and Gavin going two holes up after the sixth, only for Chris and Nigel to level the game by the turn.

With Chris driving well and Michael finding the pace of the greens, it was mistakes that would be the difference, although Nigel said "what about all the shots we had to give!"

The breakthrough came when Michael and Gavin won the 13th and 14th holes to go over the line two up. The 16th was also won courtesy of having a shot, and the piece de la resistance came on the 17th, when Michael sank the winning putt for a birdie following Gavin's tee shot and secured three points.

Second away saw a Morton family battle that had as much to do with what went on before the game as during it. Richard had to contend with his dad's psychology all week, only for Allan to be struck with a suspected heart attack and rushed via ambulance to Withybush on Saturday evening.

All wired up and checked over, Allan said that there was no way he was missing the chance of a victory over his son, and promptly discharged himself. Tough breed in the Divots these days!

This was billed as one of the matches of the day, with both pairings having title aspirations, and wanting to steal a march at the top of the league.

Following the tee-off, Richard and Clive Law went three up after four holes and Allan and Barrie Frayne were shellshocked by the apparent good fortune Richard had in finding the approach shots to the greens, especially the ricochet off the sign to within five-foot on the second.

Allan and Barrie fought back by winning five and six, only for Richard and Clive to bounce straight back on eight and nine to be three up at the turn. Allan and Barrie again bounced back and won 10 and 11, and had hopes of squaring the match on 13, until Clive sank a monster putt from the top of the green for the half. Encouraged by this, Richard and Clive birdied 14, and despite Allan and Barrie winning the 16th, Richard and Clive secured 17 for a victory.

Third away saw Andrew Morton and Tony Morris playing against Richard Day and Steve Evans. Richard and Steve went at it from the start winning the first four holes, only for Andrew and Tony to eventually find their game and win the next three holes, before squaring the match by the turn.

Andrew and Tony won 10 and 12, with Richard and Steve securing 13. One up going over the line, Andrew and Tony produced some incredible golf, belying their lowly league position, with Tony playing his approach stiff on the 15th. On the 16th, Andrew's approach and Tony's majestic putt for a gimme was enough to taste the delights of a rare victory.

Steve apparently has crossed Tony off his Christmas card list as every time he plays against Tony, he seems to bring out the best in him.

Next away saw Loz Phillips and Andrew North playing against Scott Davies and Laurence Lindsay, and hoping to secure some points. This turned out to be a very scrappy game, with holes being lost rather than won. Loz and Andrew were quite happy to make a rare venture over the line despite being one down, and promptly levelled the match by winning the 15th. They also secured the 16th courtesy of Scott finding the trees twice, once with his drive, and secondly with the approach off Laurence's drive.

Loz and Andrew could smell the victory and were in seventh heaven when they won the 17th and finally had hopes of getting off the bottom.

Their elation was soon muted back at HQ, however, when they discovered that Andrew and Tony had also won and alas they were still bottom. Never mind, all victories are to be relished.

Next away saw Gareth Rees partnered by super sub Roger Schooling in Brian Hartley's absence, playing against Simon Hilling standing in for Top Gun Stephen Davies, and partnering Mike Anthony. Simon and Mike went three up in as many holes, courtesy of a par, birdie, par opening. Gareth and Roger soon found their game and managed to square the game at the turn. Another par, birdie, back nine performance saw Simon and Mike dormie four up, and eventually won the match on the 16th.

The next match out was billed as a possible title influence, and featured championship contenders Richard Chapman and Rob Hall playing against Elvis and Ron Johns.

Richard and Rob have been steadily playing their par golf and winning matches without too much noise, and now faced a stiff test of their credentials. Elvis and Ron soon had other ideas, however, and went three up after 10 holes.

Richard and Rob battled hard to stay with them and with the putts not seeming to drop, found themselves two down going over the line. Hope appeared when they won the 15th, only for it to disappear when Elvis and Ron won the 16th. A gentle half was all it needed on 17 for Elvis and Ron to secure victory and stay on top of the table. Richard and Rob were left to rue the four putts that lipped out, proving that there is very little between victory and defeat.

Last match out saw David Douglas-Law partnered by John Kicinski standing in for Neil Dickinson, playing against Kenny Breaker and Ian Thomas.

Fresh from last week's victory, Kenny and Ian carried on where they left off by winning the first three holes. David and John, however, battled back and the match was all-square after eight. Kenny and Ian managed to win the ninth to go one up at the turn. Their lead was extended on the 10th, only briefly, as David and John bounced straight back and eventually levelled the match on the 13th.

All square going over the line, David and John turned on the style to win the 15th and a half on 16 and 17 meant they were assured of a share of the spoils. With all four drives well down the last, it boiled down to the approach shots. Kenny and Ian both came up short, only for David to end up four-foot from the flag, and sensing they had to hole their approach, Kenny tried, but failed, and victory went to David and John.

Results were as follows: C. Hughes and N. Ayers lost to M. Schooling and G. Field-Thomas 3 and 1; R. Morton and C. Law beat A. Morton and B. Frayne 2 and 1; A. P. Morton and T. Morris beat R. Day and S. Evans 3 and 2; L. Phillips and A. North beat S. Davies and L. Lindsay 2 and 1; G. Rees and R. Schooling lost to S. Hilling and M. Anthony 3 and 2; R. Chapman and R. Hall lost to A. Joseph and R. Johns 2 and 1; D. Douglas-Law and J. Kicinski beat K. Breaker and I. Thomas 2 up.

Saturday Swingers

Just as in Rosslare on tour in September, the ability of Phil Goodridge to control the ball in windy conditions proved too much for the rest of the field and he ran out an easy winner with 37 points last Saturday.

In the team grudge match, fathers Paul Heywood and Dai Cope, who were assisted by Gary McNeilly and John Stenson, were comfortable winners against their sons and 'upstarts' Mark and Dan (who may be allowed to join the Swingers when they begin shaving), together with partners Paul Hoyland and Mike Anthony.

Swingers who are going on the Edinburgh tour in September are reminded that £150 must have been paid by tomorrow. Most of the society are self-employed and a number own their businesses. Whilst it is appreciated that income tax is due to be paid by the end of the month, tourists are advised to pay their tour instalment first as the penalties levied by the Swingers could be much more onerous than those imposed by the Inland Revenue!

Finally, members will be aware that Ladies Night takes place on Saturday, January 31, at the Pam Pam. Due to late withdrawals, there are a few places left. Names and payment to Neil Webb please.

Chicken draught

After the windy excesses of the previous night - no, we didn't visit the local curry house, it was the weather that was a bit inclement - last week's Chicken Trot looked as though it might be a bit short staffed, as many obviously heard the gale and rain buffeting the eaves and doors, and thought better about braving the links. But thankfully it had calmed down by the time we teed off.

But Pat Rees and Spike Evans were first out, and were putting the world to rights in their own inimitable way. They were still at it whilst quaffing a quick half in the club house after the game! Thirteen different solutions to the countries ills were paraded in about five minutes flat. Politicians please note, if Pat and Spike can do it, why can't you!

But back to the Chicken golf. Derek Bath and Vince Shaw were leaders for some considerable time with 27 points, until Fred Adlam (pictured) upstaged them both with 28. Fred came to the 18th tee full of good cheer, and then put two balls out of bounds, but still managed to score one point on the hole. Come on you golfers, work that one out and answers please to chief Chicken Morran Boot, on the back of a postage stamp.

We had a new chicken playing for some corn; Ken Breaker joined the ranks and acquitted himself not too badly. He didn't feature in the paying ranks, but it's early days yet.

Gwyn Jenkins had recovered from his spot of blood bother the previous week, but not enough apparently to prevent himself from getting his 30p back in the booby position.

Brian Morgan lifted himself clear of the pack and pecked up £1.75 for his 29 points, and was closely followed in by Bob Howse and John Kicinski.

Not a bad morning for those who turned out.

Results: 1. Brian Morgan 29 pts (£1.75); 2. Bob Howse, John Kicinski, Fred Adlam 28 pts (£1 each).

Twos: Dudley Williams (£1.15); booby: Gwyn Jenkins (30p). Entries: 23.

J.B.H.