Shocks, surprises and hints of sabotage and subterfuge were the order of the day during last Sunday's Divots matches. This was the penultimate series of games in the winter league programme, and a sense of expectation permeated the clubhouse as the players gathered. Most were anticipating that the issues, so long fought over, would be settled on this fine spring morning. If the leaders won, or even halved, they would take the crown, leaving the wooden spoon as the only outstanding issue for the last series of games this coming Sunday. But it was not to be!

The first hint of sabotage occurred when Rob Hall attempted to incapacitate fellow wooden spoon contender Kenny Breaker. With a cup of hot coffee in his hand, 'Turbo' Hall appeared to stumble, the cup flew into the air heading in Kenny's direction and it was only the lightning reactions of fellow competitors, anxious to see fair play, which saved the day.

Obviously spurred on by this episode, Kenny and partner Alan Yates strode onto the golf course to face title hopefuls Richard Chapman and Laurence Lindsey. Richard and Laurence, in second place in the table, needed to win to keep alive their challenge. Anxious to avoid the wooden spoon, an inspired Kenny and Alan had other ideas. Richard and Laurence's aspirations of glory came to a premature end as they suffered a crushing 6 and 4 defeat.

The same fate came to third placed pairing Chris Hughes and Matthew Evans. As play commenced, if results went their way, they would also still be in contention. Playing against Alan Morton and Gavin Field-Thomas, the match went to the final hole where it was club captain Alan and the 'Walrus' who claimed all the points with 2 up victory. Even though Chris and Matt's hopes have now been dashed, they, like Richard and Laurence, have made the title race a memorable event.

Nick Thomas and Neil Dickinson needed only a half to secure the coveted title of Divots champions. After Neil's 'Chicken Trotters' triumph on Friday, nobody was prepared to bet against the pair taking the honours a week early. Playing their last game of the season, however, Gareth Rees and Martin Durham wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. And they did, their recent good form continued and they despatched the league leaders on the 17th hole, claiming a 2 and 1 victory in a very hard fought match.

The other pair still in contention, Nick Rogers and Ken Goldsborough, must have heard the shouts of joy, and groans of despair from all around the course. Nick and Ken, playing against Adam Joseph and Graham Waring, must have sensed that results were tipped in their favour. Inspired by the thought of ultimate glory, they defeated Adam and Graham on the 16th hole by a 3 and 2 margin.

A bottom-of-the-table clash saw Richard Morton and Tony Morris, substituting for Nigel Ayers, pitted against Vince Shaw and Rob 'Turbo' Hall. With the shadow of the wooden spoon hanging heavy over both teams, this match was sure to be closely contested. The priceless points were eventually earned by Richard and Tony when they claimed a 3 and 1 victory, sending Vince and Rob back to the foot of the table.

David Douglas-Law and Barrie Frayne are another team desperately trying to avoid the wooden spoon. Playing against Loz Phillips and Divots captain Steve Evans, the match was finely poised after 14 holes, with David and Barrie holding a slender one hole lead. While walking towards the 15th hole, however, the players concerned were involved in another case of suspected subterfuge!

Who should be lurking on the pathway but none other than Mrs. Evans with two ferocious terriers. One suspects the terriers were badly briefed, for when Mrs. Evans uttered the seemingly innocuous words "Don't forget the peas dear" to husband Steve, the terriers turned into savage beasts and launched their charge. However, instead of attacking their opponents, Lucy and Peco Evans attempted to devour Steve's partner, Loz. Once the beasts had been restrained, the players continued their battle which went to the last putts on the last hole where this closely contested match was finally halved.

With all three league leaders losing this week, Nick Rogers and Ken Goldsborough have moved up the field into a challenging position, and could yet force a play-off for ultimate honours. While at the foot of the table, four teams are still in the unenviable wooden spoon position. With a number of intriguing matches scheduled, next week's games promise to provide a fitting climax to the season.

Last Sunday's results were as follows: K. Breaker and A. Yates bt R. Chapman and L. Lindsey 6 and 4; R. Morton and T. Morris bt V. Shaw and R. Hall 3 and 1; N. Rogers and K. Goldsborough bt A. Joseph and G. Waring 3 and 2; A. Morton and G. Field-Thomas bt C. Hughes and M. Evans 2 up; G. Rees and M. Durham bt N. Thomas and N. Dickinson 2 and 1; D. Douglas-Law and B. Frayne halved with L. Phillips and S. Evans.

FINAL MATCHES

Next week the following matches are scheduled: L. Phillips and S. Evans v R. Morton and N. Ayers; N. Rogers and K. Goldsborough v K. Breaker and A. Yates; N. Thomas and N. Dickinson v R. Chapman and L. Lindsey; A. Joseph and G. Waring v V. Shaw and R. Hall; D. Ayers and I. Jarvis v C. Hughes and M. Evans; D. Douglas-Law and B. Frayne v A. Morton and G. Field-Thomas.

B. F.