Tenby Seniors took to the hills last Thursday, playing away to Cardigan. Driving through Crymych in torrential rain, with the dark brooding clouds blanketing the hills, it did not bode well for their game at Cardigan. As they approached Cardigan, though, the rain ceased, and there was a hint of sun as they came into Gwbert-on-Sea. What a happy little band they were as they gathered in the car park at Cardigan preparing for the match. However, this happiness was somewhat subdued when they viewed the incoming darkening clouds coming their way from Cardigan, as they tucked into their bacon sarnies! In fact, by the time the leading groups teed off, everyone had donned their rain attire as they set off on in steady rain. Fortunately, though, after a few holes, the rain ceased and, despite a taxing breeze, it proved a pleasant afternoon. Captain Des Stone, who had only just returned the previous evening from a few days away in Kent, partnered by Hywel Probert, sporting a healthy sun tan from the Canaries, teed off against Ken Evans and Ted Wells. Des, who was still driving down the motorway in his mind, and Hywel played the front nine very well; and by the 12th hole, were four up against very useful opponents. With six holes to play and their four-up lead still intact, they were looking to post an early lead for Tenby. That hope was unravelled, when Ted Wells finished the last four holes, par, birdie, par, eagle to halve the game! Des and Hywel were shell- shocked, but with a finish like that, they should not be too upset. In the second match, Stan Hudson, fresh back from his trip to Inverness, and Jim Martin got off to an awful start against Tony Simpson and Ken Snelgrove. Indifferent shots from both players and outstanding play from Tony Simpson, saw Stan and Jim go five down after six. With Tony continuing to play brilliantly, their demise continued throughout the round; even when Tony lapsed on a couple occasions, his partner Ken weighed in to help. Stan, still suffering from landscaping and groin strain from playing football with his young grandson, plus an indifferent putter, just could not get going. In the latter part of the round, Jim revealed to his partner that he loved playing at Cardigan, but had never played well there. Perhaps Jim, you should spend less time looking at the view and concentrate more on the golf. The Cardigan pair easily finished them off on the 13th. Martin Nielen and Brian Waters had a tight match against Terry Hammett and Dennis Ludarte, which went to and fro on the front nine. Martin had been watching the world snooker championship and picked up some tips from the proceedings to help him get a birdie three on the second hole; he played a pitch to the green and went into the hole off an opponent's ball! Not to be outdone, Terry Hammett putted in from off the green for a birdie three on the index one 14th and then finished the match off on the 17th by repeating his feat. Derek 'Bubbles' Bath, playing with Clifton John, wielded his putter to excellent effect against Brian Preston and Ken Hadley. Their opponents very generously gave them three holes. The Tenby pair had a very steady game, with Bubbles playing below his handicap. In fact, his opponents thought he was a 16-handicapper. They put their defeat down to their balls not behaving themselves! This was one of four matches that went to the 18th, with the Tenby pair emerging victorious. Owen Monaghan gave J. D. R. Williams some palpitations in their match against Dave Edwards and Mike Ampalett. From 150 yards to the 15th green, against the wind, J. D. R. thought the choice of a five-wood too much. He suggested something less, so Owen selected his chipper and played the shot to the edge of the green. Despite J. D. R. playing well on the front nine and Owen playing well on the back nine, they were always down until that 15th. From there they took the match to the 18th, where once again the Tenby pair won through. Roy Morgan and Colin Griffith played competently enough, but lost to Glyn Davies and Peter Talbot. Roy and Colin said that Glyn and Peter's local knowledge of the course, plus a friendly rabbit proved too much for them. Roy had put the Tenby pair one up earlier on, which got the opposition's gander up. They eventually went down on the 16th hole; perhaps you should go back to Bancyfelin again Roy and have another one of those injections. Another game to go to the 18th was between Bob Howse and John Cook and Cedric Hall and Ian Sletantholm. Starting on the 15th hole, Bob and John were three up after nine. Bob birdied the 13th (their ninth) and Ian equalled the feat. Again on the 17th (their 13th), Bob birdied and Ian once more repeated the dose! Although John halved the last hole, it was not enough to save them from defeat. John Hall, playing with Brian Morgan, came up against stern opposition in the shape of Brian Hurrett and Mike Allen. In a match, where only two holes were over par, Brian won the first and the Tenby pair lost the second. The next 10 holes were all halved. Brian's putting was much improved this week, but with birdies required to win a hole, John and Brian eventually went down on the 17th. The Tenby pair of Geoff Aston and Newman Vincent were also sorely pressed against George Biddle and Mike Kine. The Cardigan pair went three up after four holes, playing to two under at that stage. Newman was playing out of his skin and he and Geoff pulled the lead back to go one up - and then went to sleep! By the time they woke up on the 16th the match was over. Club captain Malcolm Arlott had a great game. Playing with Jack Hasdell against Tom Jenkins and Keith Lewis, they recorded Tenby's biggest win of the day. Jack taught Malcolm to play a nine-iron into the wind, which Malcolm used to great effect. Encouraged by Jack's caddying, the Tenby pair went on to win comfortably six and five. Jack said his fees are not that expensive, but cash is preferred to a cheque! At the after-proceedings, Des Stone thanked Cardigan for their hospitality and the excellent condition of the course. He also thanked the steward for the festive board; he went on to say, although Tenby lost the match, apart from two of the matches, the remaining eight all finished between the 16th and 18th holes, which he felt was a very creditable performance on the away team. Where Tenby excelled was during the raffle. Jim Martin won the star prize of 14 pigeon eggs, plus a golf ball, and then proceeded to draw out his own number for the second prize. He declined this and pulled out J. D. R. Williams's number instead for the second prize, John Hall won the third, with Derek Bath and Martin Nielen also picking up prizes, making it a profitable day for them. Results; Tenby names first: Des Stone and Hwyel Probert halved with Ken Evans and Ted Wells; Jim Martin and Stan Hudson lost to Tony Simpson and Ken Snelgrove 6 and 5; Martin Nielan and Brian Waters lost to Terry Hammett and Denis Ludarte 3 and 1; Derek Bath and Clifton John beat Brian Preston and Ken Hadley 2 up; J. D. R. Williams and Owen Monaghan beat Dave Edwards and Mike Ampalett 1 up; Roy Morgan and Colin Griffith lost to Glyn Davies and Peter Talbot 3 an 2; Bob Howse and John Cook lost to Cedric Hall and Ian Sletantholm 1 down; John Hall and Brian Morgan lost to Brian Hurrett and Mike Allen 3 and 2; Geoff Aston and Newman Vincent lost to George Biddle and Mike Kine 3 and 2; Jack Hasdell and Malcolm Arlott beat Tom Jenkins and Keith Lewis 6 and 5. Match result: Cardigan 6.5, Tenby 3.5. J.D.M.