Well this is it... the report that you've all been waiting for... the annual Divots v Rabbits match for the coveted Ron Scourfield Challenge Trophy, which signals the halfway mark in their winter programmes. Both societies are in full swing at this time of the year; the Christmas and New Year celebrations are over and thoughts are set on the completion of their respective leagues, either winning them or avoiding the wooden spoons.

Everything was fine with 24 hours to go; both captains had decided that 10 pairs from each society would do battle over 18 holes. Now under normal conditions this would prove an exciting event... 40 grown men hitting small white spherical objects around three miles of Tenby's coastal area!

Add to this discipline a wind blowing at gale force seven or worse and you have a good reason for investing all your spare cash into the shares of some of the world's leading golf ball manufacturers.

Records have it that this was the windiest day so far this winter, but, as mentioned, with 24 hours to go, everything was looking fine. Or was it?

Mark Edwards, the Rabbits captain, received two phone calls that all captains dread... "I can't play tomorrow I have man flu" - poor Mick Munro. But our thoughts must go to Dorian Thomas, who rang in on the Saturday informing Mark that he had shingles. We hope you are okay Dor', get better soon.

With the pairings quickly amended and all teams waiting on their respective tees, the battle commenced with the traditional shotgun start... or is that gunshot start, eh Chris? Four hours later, we were all back at the clubhouse looking totally windswept and some of us succumbing to the deluge of rain that eventually caught out a few of the last pairings.

If you recall last week I mentioned that the Divots had won this trophy 24 out of a possible 27 times, so did the Rabbits manage to turn over the lower handicap Divos society?

Last year's Rabbits captain Chris Smith and his partner Tim Davies chalked up the first match for the Rabbits against Scott Davies and John Stevenson 5 and 4, followed by a fine performance by Phil Carpenter and Paul Davies, who scraped a win against Paul Haley and Paul James 2 and 1... Rabbits 2 Divots 0. Then the first Divot points from Gareth Phillips and Richard Davies, who beat John Hunt and Neil Dickinson 4 and 3... Rabbits 2 Divots 1.

The youth of Nick Thomas and Michael Schooling then succumbed to the prowess of Gerald Hewitt and Robin Bradbury, who won two up... Rabbits 3 Divots 1. However, the Rabbits lead was soon reduced with the biggest score of the day as Viv James and Julian Thomas beat Steve Watkins and Chris Davies 6 and 5, followed by Roger Schooling and Barry Frayne beating Dave Morgan and Juan Cruz 2 and 1... Rabbits 3 Divots 3.

So with a big responsibility now resting on the Rabbits captain, Mark Edwards, and his playing partner, Rabbits secretary Mike Gillet, to return a winning performance in order to re-establish the lead, news broke that they had gone down to Rob Hall and Richard Chapman on the last hole... Rabbits 3 Divots 4.

So could Mark's last pairing of Steve Cole and Tim Jackson, who romped home with a 45-point win to pick up the Dilwater Trophy in December, beat Divots captain Nigel's rookie player Bill Beynon and his partner Jim Moffat.

Such a result would tie the event four-all. However, as hard as Bill and Jim tried to give the match away, they eventually won 1 up, leaving a joyous Divots captain to lift the Ron Scourfield Challenge Trophy with a score of five matches to three.

The onus now lies firmly on Mike Gillet, next season's Rabbits captain, to turn the table on those irritating Divots, or perhaps next season's Divots captain, Gareth Phillips, can continue to make Rabbit stew?

Divots 25... Rabbits still two. See you next year?

Red Berets? - or Noddy's Gang?

From a distance it looked as if it could be the Red Berets out on the course last Tuesday, as a group of three seniors marched down the seventh fairway, rifles at the ready, or was that clubs? On closer inspection, the red headgear, worn by each member, was more reminiscent of Noddy's gang. The only thing missing was a bell. Who were the matching machos - David Lamb, Rod Clark and Ron Murphy.

Did their golf and their scores match their fashion sense? Not really, Rod managed 28, David scraped a 21, while Ron split the difference with a 26. Ron, however, had a surprise up his sleeve. He was on the bank of the 16th green in two and chipped up hoping to be close enough for a four. Imagine his pleasure at finding his ball had rolled up and dropped in the hole to give him a three, for five points.

Another player smiling this week was Roy Morgan. He was driving straight and long, well, as long as he can that is, and reaching some greens in regulation. It's a pity that his putting was not up to the same standard. He invariably left his putt short and on some greens three-putted. He was more than pleased with his final 30, a return to form which he puts down to all the extra practice he is getting with the Chickens.

Bob Howse was out in sympathy with him bemoaning the fact that he could have improved his score of 33 by at least five points. But there, we all use that little word -'if'.

Seniors day started a little cloudy, but rapidly improved into a sunny, Spring-like day. This was reflected in the average scores, which were towards the upper end this week.

Another group who were in accord on this lovely day was that of Stan Hudson, Ken Gouldsbrough and John Cook. All three scored 29, although Stan wondered if he would ever catch up with his team-mates since he hadn't reached double figures by the 10th. There were 15 other members joining them in the scoring band from 25 to 29.

Eleven players scored 30 or more, with the top score being 36. These included, Geoff Aston and Bob Howse (33), Brian Morgan (32), Derek Bath (31), Peter Williams, Roy Morgan, John Hayhoe and Newman Vincent (30).

At the other end of the scale, Des Stone was sweating on his 18 being the lowest. As he was one of the first out, he had a long wait before a tailend group managed to lift him off the bottom. His gratitude went to Colin Griffith, Rob Wilkins, Dave Miller and Bob Creese.

Bob can be excused since this was his first outing with the Seniors and he was helped around the course and introduced to Senior etiquette by Doug Havard and Jack Hasdell.

This week's winners were: Nigel Rimmell 36 pts; Martin Neilan 34 (back six); Richard Davies 34.

Members were sorry to learn that Mike Nesbitt-Hawes was back in hospital and send their best wishes to him for a speedy return to the course.

The same applies to Tony Morris, who is recovering from a back operation and eagerly awaiting the day he can swing that club. Hywel Probert was back on the course this week after a serious toe injury caused by a falling heavy object - his wallet was it?

Brian Morgan was delighted to raise £42 for charity this week, with the prizes going to Chris Sierwald, Clifton John, Doug Havard and Peter Woodhouse.

Next week is a Medford (don't ask, just follow instructions) competition and members are asked to note that first tee-off is at 9.06 am.

Chickens Trotters return to action

After their festive break, when turkeys (and pheasants) were more in vogue on the links at Tenby Golf Club, the Chicken Trotters returned to action last Friday morning.

Weather conditions were still rather chilly on the day, resulting in a rather depleted flock on the course - some perhaps had more sense and were sunning themselves in warmer climes, the Caribbean, for example.

Your correspondent, however, is pleased to report that he was one of the hardy brood who left the hutch to witness the action, and is even more pleased to report that he actually returned with the winning card.

Well, perhaps matters should be clarified here. Yes, he did return with the winning card... but it was actually Stan Hudson's, which he was marking! Probably the closest he will come to such lofty heights.

Stan, meanwhile, was enjoying his first outing with the Chickens this season and was no doubt delighted to swell his coffers to the tune of £1.20.

Matching the winning score of 23 points was Derek Bath, but his bubble was burst when he had to settle for second prize of 80p after being beaten on countback on the last six holes.

Also in the money was Roy Morgan, who had his 30p entry fee returned after bagging the booby on 14 points, while playing colleague Brian Waters was another to plunder some booty - the Roger and Mary Trophy which he had won at the pre-Christmas bash, but which hadn't been presented at the time because it was missing!

Indeed, Brian, Roy and Stan all played together in a fourball - the other member... yes, your correspondent, who was the only one of them not to claim a prize on the day! Hmm.

There were no twos, nine Chickens played and par for the day was recorded at 19.