Who can stop Ron Johns and Clive Law? That's the question being asked in the Divots League after they took a major step towards lifting the silverware last weekend. On Sunday, the league leaders took on another fancied pair from the chasing pack, namely big-hitting Adam Joseph and his partner Rob Hall. As expected, it proved a closely fought contest, going down to the very last hole before the section's 'Steady Eddies' wrapped up three valuable points by a two-up margin. "It was nip and tuck all the way, but they were deserved winners," admitted Adam afterwards. "You can see why they are top of the table." Adam himself played "fantastically," pointed out partner Rob, as he rued the fact that they had to concede four shots. "Unfortunately, he was playing single-handedly. On the day, I just couldn't back him up." Indeed, Adam showed his class as he hit the pin on the sixth and chipped in for a two on the 12th... "but that was only for a half," remarked a philosophical Clive, who added that it had been a 'twitchy' affair, or words to that effect! Nearest challengers to the pace-setters are the 'Double Gs', Gareth Rees and Gareth Phillips, who stayed in contention with a 4 and 3 win over Scott Davies and Nigel Ayers. But the match was not as one-sided as it might first appear from the scoreline. Far from it. "It was par golf all the way round," stated Nigel, who was another bemoaning the fact that they had to give no fewer than seven shots to their opponents. "It was just too much to cope with. In fact, we only lost two holes when not giving shots." One of those came on the ninth's tricky temporary green, where Gareth (Phillips that is) bagged a two with a neat chip and run with his eight-iron. The win means that the 'Double Gs' remain three points adrift at the the top with just two games remaining, but they now look like the only ones with a realistic chance of pegging back the front-runners. Among other pairs with obvious title aspirations before the day were Richard Chapman and Lawrence Linsey, but an unfortunate mix-up over absenteeism and substitutes (or something like that) now seems to have put paid to their chances. "It was entirely my fault," admitted Richard, who was under the impression that partner Lawrence was available - but had got his dates wrong! It meant that he was left to plough a lonely furrow against the Steve Davies/Ian Thomas combination. But he certainly made a good fist of it. "He played very well," stated a relieved Steve, as he and Ian relaxed in the clubhouse after a 2 and 1 success. For, as the margin of victory indicates, they did not have things all their own way. In fact, going over the line three up, things got a little jittery as Richard clawed his way back into it with wins on 15 and 16. The short 17th finally proved decisive, however. All three players missed the green, but Steve (who apparently was "boring, straight down the middle" off the other tees - Richard's words, not your reporter's) eventually sank a good putt to seal victory. Meanwhile, the battle at the basement is also hotting up, with any one of four pairings still in with a chance of collecting the wooden spoon. Still favourites, however, are Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson, who are still propping up the rest, despite registering their first victory of the season. On Sunday they were first out against fellow strugglers Rob Willcox and Brian Hartley. Nothing more than a win would do if Loz and Neil were to avoid the dreaded 'trophy'. But things looked bleak as they lost two of the first three holes, before an 'heroic fightback' (two words which sprang to Loz's mind during press interview later) saw them haul back the deficit by the sixth. After that, holes were swopped, including the 11th, where Brian canned a monster putt from off the green for a birdie three, nett eagle two. The shock of this was the wake-up call Loz and Neil needed and, spurred into action, they quickly hit back with a rare barrage of pars, which saw them win 12, 13 and 14. And so it was 'over the line' with a two-hole advantage for the bottom pair. Dizzy heights indeed! In fact, it was so long since Loz had been over there that he couldn't remember where the winter tee was! Having found it, he and Neil duly proceeded to make a complete pig's ear of the 15th, before regaining their composure to go dormie on 16 and close out a much-needed 3 and 1 win with a par on 17. Phew! Afterwards, Rob was magnanimous in defeat, but on reflection, felt that an earlier 3-4 am shift with his young baby had not been good for his short putting, while Brian was also suffering the effects of a late night/early morning stint in the bar (behind it that is). Is there a lesson to be learned there for all Divots? Perhaps so. Make sure you're tucked up in bed early on a Saturday night. You know it makes sense. Results: Loz Phillips and Neil Dickinson bt Rob Willcox and Brian Hartley 3 and 1; Gareth Rees and Gareth Phillips bt Scott Davies and Nigel Ayers 4 and 3; Ron Johns and Clive Law bt Adam Joseph and Rob Hall 2 up; Stephen Davies and Ian Thomas bt Richard Chapman (on his own) 2 and 1.
The Rabbits League ignites. Four fevered weeks to go
The Tenby Rabbits have now completed nine of the matches in their Winter League. With only four more to come, the table is very open, with the possibility of any of five pairs taking the silver at season's end. At the foot of the table, the three teams in contention for the wooden spoon have stirred into life recently and a tremendous finale to the league season is on the cards, both at the top and foot of the table. The Rabbits captain, Stephen Price, was fevered in his excitement at the prospect of the final battles ahead. He is so correct when he senses a creeping nervousness from players seeking glory or trying to avoid shame. And so it was that Derek Farley and Anthony Allen, who one week ago were nicely tucked in two points behind the leaders, bit the dust against the mid-table pair of Peter Watkins and Chris Smith, losing on the 17th; a big surprise to all. I am not sure if it was nerves which caused this shock defeat or the skills of the opposition. Indeed, Chris Smith described his and his partner's play as absolutely fabulous. Well, with all due regards to that opinion, I don't think they could ever reach the standards of Patsie and Edina. Probably their performance could be compared with Sylvester Stallone's mother. Let us pass on to the next match. Second on the tee last Sunday were Dave Moran and Bill Beynon, who have been at the top of the table for quite a few weeks. Their challengers were Steve Watkins and M. K. Munro, who, to put it bluntly, are fairly positioned in the nether regions. But after four holes the Watkins/Munro team were three-up. A sensation was in the making and word spread quickly around the course. The birds stopped singing, such was the tension. Slowly, Beynon/Moran drew back the deficit and from the 12th onwards this game oscillated, with one team up then down, and the match was all-square on the 18th tee. Stephen Watkins launched a blistering drive way way past the 150-yard marker. Then it was up to Mike Munro to hit the green for victory, the sort of shot he plays week after week. A mere formality for one so talented. But nobody will ever know. Maybe a camera snapped in the middle of his backswing or a spectator stepped into his line of vision. However, that last critical shot somehow veered left, on and on, disappearing into the marsh, forbidden territory; thus ending the match of the season to date. A tragic ending to a valiant challenge. Richard Caley and Brian Dooley marched on with a victory against Dave Morgan and Paul James, while Colin Smith and Rees Davies did their title prospects no harm in defeating George Pegg and John Murphy at the 16th. Simon Evans and Steve Harries were good this week and the Rabbits' captain, Steve Price, and Mark Edwards paid the price; while Philip Marsden and Jason Rolfe did their usual, falling this week to Meurig Jones and Dorian Thomas, who in the first nine holes amassed 25 stableford points and up to that point were unbeatable. Roy Morgan and Macky Harts ran Ron Murphy and John Hunt very close, losing finally at the 18th. I think there is some life in these two old dogs yet. Nobody at the foot of the table will sleep easily. The Rabbits' captain is very good on his feet and this week was even better than usual, but only because he was sporting white shoes. He looked a real dandy and when challenged he stated they were Snow Leopard hide bought in Paris at great cost. Let's not beat about the bush. Maybe new younger members would believe him, but the writer saw a distinct Carew Market flavour to them, £4 a pair, including laces and box. Then he made two announcements. The first was not of any interest to anyone anywhere, but then he stunned the throng by stating that a midnight event was being considered. One cannot imagine anything more suitable for golfers and the members were excited. We expect large crowds to gather for this Starlight Classic and no doubt S4C will be covering. On April 3, the end-of-season dinner and Duffy Cup takes place and the captain implores members to reserve this date and bring a guest. In fact, he hammered this home so violently that a shoe snapped in half. In the matter of support for formal events he is so correct. The Rabbits committee hope for a 100 per cent turnout minimum. There is a lot of life in the Rabbits Section at present. Match results were as follows: P. Watkins and Chris Smith bt D. Farley and A. Allen 2 and 1; D. Moran and W. Beynon bt S. Watkins and M. K. Munro 1 up; R. Caley and B. Dooley bt B. D. Morgan and P. James 5 and 4; Colin Smith and R. Davies bt G. Pegg and J. S. Murphy 4 and 2; S. Evans and S. Harries bt S. Price and M. Edwards 5 and 3; M. Jones and D. Thomas bt P. Marsden and J. Rolfe 3 and 2; R. F. Murphy and J. Hunt bt R. Morgan and M. Harts 1 up.