Allen and Derek were playing against two Tony's. Also no-one was sure who was playing with whom on the sixth. It almost came to blows as the two groups decided who was whose partner to complete the groups starting on the sixth. It was simple really, Roy Morgan knew he was sharing a buggy with Cilgwyn member, Gordon Parry, so he just sat there as the rest argued who was next out and who was last out. If it had been rearranged on the team sheet there would have been no problem. No problem! – this is the senior section we are talking about.
Was there any golf played? Of course there was, with some closely fought matches as well. The seniors' captains were very courteous - they actually let the second group through as they searched for two Cilgwyn balls. A first by all accounts!
Bob Howse had enlisted the help of Richard Chapman to overcome the ebullient Brian Hawkey and his partner, Paul Blewitt, on their own course. Richard was overawed to be in such sparkling company, so much so he was seen in parts of the course rarely visited by home players. Bob was never sure whether he was going into the rough on the left or the rough on the right. Nevertheless, he straightened up on enough holes to help Bob establish a one-hole lead which was cut back fairly quickly.
They then went two down and managed to re-establish their one-hole advantage on the 18th tee. Cilgwyn captain, Brian Hawkey, had a chance to halve the match on the green, but luck was against him as he lipped out, giving the match to Bob and Richard,
Overtaking them were Des Stone and John Hall in another close match. The opening five holes were all halved, before their opponents, Tom and Jerry (sorry Tom and Terry!) took the lead. More halved holes before Des and John went one up. It was on the closing holes that Terry renamed his partner 'Aboriginal Tom' as he watched him go walkabout for four holes.
It was at this stage that Des and John won a hole to go one-up. However, some very poor shots from both players let the lead slip on the 17th and they were all-square starting the 18th. While both pairs were aiming to take the last, it was fortuitous that both the hole and the match was halved.
Malcolm Arlott described his and Brian Morgan's match as one of two halves - surely he meant one of two courses. Cilgwyn is a nine-hole course so they played the whole course twice. Poor old Morgie couldn't find the fairway on his first nine holes, so Malcolm had to rescue him to keep the match against Fred Draper and Richard Johns alive.
He claimed that he managed to avoid all hazards except the rough, and what punishing rough it was. To add to the length of the grass, the constant mizzle made things even more difficult. Even the first cut was difficult to get out of, so straight driving was essential. There were no bunkers, so what Morgie meant was that he did not go in any of the numerous ditches. As it was, they never went behind and when he came good on the second round, he and Malcolm established a comfortable lead, one they were able to hang on to.
Stan Hudson and Mike Fox found Hugh Loader and John Jones tougher opposition. It appears that they had to resort to bad language - but I am assured that it was only when they were in the rough! They managed to hold the opposition to a one-hole deficit, but every time they had a chance to level, either Hugh, who played particularly well, or John upped his game to ensure the lead. Stan did have a two - but only after the match was over.
Dudley Williams was another to score a two on the short, par three, fifth. That was not enough to help them overcome Gordon Parry and Bob Towel. Dudley was due to be partnered by Owen Monaghan, but had the privilege of Roy Morgan's company instead. This left Paul Nixon without a partner, but local lad, Hank, came to his rescue.
He didn't mind this, since both he and Hank knew of each other 20 years ago when they worked at Lampeter College. Catching up on old times allowed George Draper and Mike Harrington to take advantage of a relaxed situation and establish a lead. Try as they might, they could not reduce the deficit and shook hands gracefully after 16 holes.
Tony Morgan came in smiling, delighted with his performance. His partner, Nigel Rimell, also performed well - like a dream - or was it 'in a dream'. They couldn't decide which. They established a four-hole lead and never looked back, even though it was reduced to a two-hole deficit at one point. Rees Lewis and Rob Humphries were stunned into submission and were just pleased to get in out of the rain.
The confusion of playing against two Tony's was a daunting prospect for Allen Watts and Derek Bath, so much so they fell two holes behind. Derek claimed that he was making silage all the way round with the number of times he was in the heavy grass. Allen, on the other hand, struggled with the slow greens, made more difficult with the constant light rain.
Tony Neale played particularly well and with the help of the other Tony, Cross, made sure they were two up after 16. Responding to the challenge, the Tenby pair upped their game to win the last four holes and claim the match.
Results were: B. Howse and R. Chapman beat B. Hawkey and P. Blewitt 1 up; S. Hudson and M. Fox lost to H. Loader and J. Jones 4 and 3; D. Stone and J. Hall halved with T. Cooke and T. Mullins; B. Morgan and M. Arlott beat F. Draper and R. Johns 3 and 1; A. Watts and D. Bath beat T. Cross and T. Neale 2 up; T. Morgan and N. Rimell beat R. Lewis and R. Humphries 4 and 3; Paul Nixon and P. Hancock (Hank) lost to G. Draper and M. Harrington 4 and 2; R. Morgan and D. WIlliams lost to G. Parry and B. Towel 2 down.