Tenby Rabbits took to the course again last weekend for the annual battle for the Dilwater Shield, a stableford pairs competition.

As is the norm, the competition was originally scheduled for before Christmas, but because of weather conditions prevailing at the time, it had to be postponed.

In contrast, Sunday morning dawned fine (although it did rain later), and this year the event attracted a field of 10 pairs, most of whom were the winter league pairings, with a a number of substitutes also making up the numbers.

Tee-off time was slightly later than usual, however, due to the DGU playing Gwent beforehand and, in true Rabbits style, everyone watched where their drives were to go in comparison to their own, and to be totally honest, there wasn't much comparison.

All these guys were long and straight, a bit like some of the Rabbits golfers! John Hunt and Tony Hopkins, for example, are long and straight, with John being the longest by at least a couple of foot! He must be 6'5", but that's where we draw the line on this. Witness was given this week to top duff off the first from John and a sort of shank from Tony.

Mind you, ex-ex captain Chris Smith wasn't much better. His drive had more height than length, but such is Rabbits golf - they like variety.!

However, this was to prove a costly hole for Chris and his partner Mark. With the ball plugging on the bank to the left of the first green, they were to score no points here, which as it turned out was to cost them the Dilwater title.

As anticipated, it was league champions Mackie Harts and Gerald Hewitt who were again to find form and finish just one point ahead of the pack to claim the shield and complete the double.

Mind you, they had their fair share of the rub of the green, much to the annoyance of captain Mick Gillett and his partner Tim Davies, who allegedly were heard wishing Mackie and Gerald's ball more in the bunker or the rough than in the hole.

But then, that's the golf Mick is used to, rough to bunker and then a couple of duffs, the odd shank, a 60-yard putt and in she goes. Or just whack it into the water on the 15th, then forget it!

They to were to come close and finish a creditable third, which was better than their winter league campaign.

As mentioned, it was to be Mackie and Gerald's title. What a pairing these are, right on the back of winning the winter league, and a word of warning to entrants in the Colwyn Williams, don't under-estimate these two.

Now, on the subject of twos, there was only one on this occasion, earning John Cook and Nick Allen a few quid.

Oh and there was a 12, much to the delight of John Murphy. Not sure if he has grasped the concept of this game yet, but to be fair, he keeps having a go, in fact several goes off some tees!

So there we go, that's the end of either being blessed or saddled with a fellow golfer for more than one match for another year and if your thought is the latter, just remember you can't have the same one next year.

So don't give up and remember, keep up the support for the Three Counties Summer League.

Dilwater Shield scores: Gerald Hewitt and Mackie Harts 45 pts; Chris Smith and Mark Edwards 44; Tim Davies and Mick Gillett 43; Peter Turton and Neil Dickinson 42; John Cook and Nick Allen 40; Steve Maytum and Steve Cole 39; Chris Davies and Kevin Smith 35; Tony Morris and Paul Davies 34; Steve Watkins and John Murphy 30; John Hunt and Tony Hopkins 29.

John Cook and Nick Allen had the only two of the day.

Chicken conundrum

Confusion reigned among the Chicken Trotters last Friday morning.

And the culprit? That man Paul Davies again.

Two weeks ago we reported on his exploits when, in true bandit style, he plundered the Chicken loot.

At that time he was playing off a Chicken handicap of 28, but never again, threatened Chief Trotter Morran.

So, it came as no real surprise when Pancho, sorry Paul, picked up his card last Friday morning and found he had been slashed six shots.

Not that it seemed to worry him too unduly as he promptly proceeded to pile up the points with a succession of pars and birdies.

And perhaps that was not surprising either, for he normally plays off a club handicap of 24 anyway.

By the end he had amassed a considerable total of 35 points - and that with two blobs! Would it be enough to take the honours again? Surely.

Back at the hutch, though, news of this handicap conundrum had obviously filtered through and the Chicken leaders were left scratching their heads as to what to do to resolve the situation.

With card handed in, a recount was the answer, with Paul's new handicap having now been amended to 18 (24 minus 6... for those of you who are still with us).

Would it be enough to knock him off top perch?

No, was the simple answer, his revised score of 30 points still being two better than his nearest rival Bart Youll.

It will be interesting to see what he's playing off next time out with the Chickens.

Results: 1. Paul Davies 30 pts (£3); 2. Bart Youll 28 (£2).

No twos. Booby not paid either as two tied on 17 pts.

Remarkable scoring in mid-week stableford

There was some impressive scoring in the March mid-week stableford last Wednesday and none more so than by Steve Cole.

Steve, who happens to be a member of the match and handicap committee, had received two shots in the recent annual review, but promptly lost them again by carding 40 points.

There was also a remarkable round by Terry Davies. Havcollected just 10 points on the way out, he came back in spectacular fashion, clocking up a further 28 to claim second place on countback.

In fact, no fewer than four players tied on 38 points, with three of them winning prizes, the unlucky one being Richard Reed, who eventually finished fifth.

In contrast, Neil Thomas was certainly in luck as he bagged the only two of the day to clean up a tidy £39!

Leading scores and prize winners were as follows: 1. Stephen Cole 40 pts (£50); 2. Terry Davies 38, after countback (£30); 3. David Blackmore 38, after countback (£20); 4. Darren Thomas 38, after countback (£10).

Twos: Neil Thomas at the 17th hole (£39).

Bag draw: Dave Blackmore, John Stenson, Tim Jackson (£12.33 each).

Handicap changes: Darren Thomas 17 to 16, Stephen Cole 22 to 20, David Blackmore 17 to 16, Roger Schooling 8 to 9, Neil Webb 14 to 15, Gethin Evans 15 to 16.