Another cracking dry winter's morning welcomed the Divots to their sixth round of matches last Sunday. After last week's results, a divide in the table saw groupings at both the top and the bottom, with no middle ground. Those at the bottom were hoping not to become isolated, whilst those at the top were hoping to pull away.

First away were Richard Morton and Clive Law playing against last week's big winners, Gareth Rees and Brian Hartley. A good start saw Gareth and Brian continue where they left off last week, winning the first hole. It took a huge putt from Richard to prevent them extending their lead on the second. Richard and Clive soon got into their rhythm and bounced back, winning the fourth, fifth and eighth holes, although Gareth and Brian stopped the rot on the ninth, to be only one down at the turn.

Richard and Clive battled hard to save holes where they had to give shots, and although they managed to move another hole ahead, Gareth and Brian bounced straight back on the 12th. Richard's booming drives were beginning to tell, however, and were good enough to win both the 14th and15th to see them dormie three up.

A last fightback by Gareth and Brian saw them win the 16th, but with the flag surrounded on the 17th, alas the game was up.

Second away saw Scott Davies and Laurence Lindsay up against Andrew Morton partnered this week by Julian Thomas, as Andrew has been without a regular partner all season. The previous day's club competition must have restored some of Andrew's confidence, as he and Julian stormed to a three-hole lead in as many holes. They then went and had a great run, winning the fifth hole and then three holes on the bounce from the seventh to reach the turn six up!!

Poor Scott and Laurence had no answer to this awesome performance and by the time they got to the 13th it was all said and done. Now, I know last week I said that Andrew didn't know what it was to go over the line, but there was no need to finish the game that early just so Julian could have his lunch on his plate by midday!

A bonus point was also gained and for the first time this season, he is not on the bottom of the table.

Next away saw Kenny Breaker and Ian Thomas playing against table-toppers Michael Schooling and Gavin Field-Thomas, looking to return to their winning ways. With the masses gathered on the first tee, Gavin had to silence the crowd before playing his tee shot, which almost made it to the ladies' tee. Partner Michael provided some relief straight down the middle. Ian then laid down the gauntlet with a mighty drive, much to the crowd's disbelief. In fairness to Gavin, he more than made amends by almost reaching the green with his second shot, although a slid putt enabled Kenny and Ian to gain an unlikely looking opening half.

A close match ensued, with very little between the pairings, with most holes being halved in par. A couple of holes won here and there saw Kenny and Ian reach the turn two up. Teeing off the tenth, a mighty duck hook by Ian saw the ball heading straight towards the eighth tee, and following shouts of fore that could be heard in Caldey, luckily the ball hit the bank before careering into Elvis, who looked all shook up!!

The next few holes swung back and forth until a combination of Ian's drive and Kenny's approach saw an eagle opportunity on the 14th. Gavin, not to be outdone, also made the green from some 230 yards or so, although for only a birdie chance. Kenny and Ian missed the putt, so only had to settle for birdie then, won the hole and also the next to go dormie three up, and although Michael and Gavin managed to win the 16th, the end came with the flag surrounded on the next.

Good game, good golf, good company - what more can you ask for, other than a win!

The next pairing to go were David Douglas-Law, who proved more difficult to find last week than Saddam, and Neil Dickinson playing against Richard Day and Steve Evans.

A good tight game this with a little bit of a grudge match between David and Richard, who were both desperate to win. Richard and Steve set the early pace going three up after six holes, but David and Neil managed to reduce the deficit to just one by the turn. A superb birdie courtesy of Neil chipping in on the 11h, much to Steve's disgust and calling him Richard Sole or something, saw the game levelled. David and Neil then went in front for the first time on the 11th, and although Richard and Steve levelled matters straightaway, David and Neil won the 16th to regain the advantage.

A half on the next meant that Richard and Steve had to win the last for a share of the spoils. David and Neil had other ideas, and promptly won the hole to gain some valuable points on a day when the bottom pairings had a good day for a change.

Stephen Davies and Mike Anthony were the next away, playing against Loz Phillips and Andrew North, and hoping to reach the dizzy heights of the table. With Loz forgetting to charge his trolley battery, it was back to carrying this week, and after the opening exchanges, it looked like a good move, being only one down after five holes. When Stephen hit his approach stiff on the sixth, it was a clear indication of their intent, and although Mike missed the putt, saying he was seeing double, trolleys that was after all the previous week's Christmas shopping, it was enough to extend their lead.

Birdies on the eighth and ninth saw them reach the turn four up. Loz and Andrew were struggling to keep in touch, as would any other pairing, and when Stephen and Mike won the 10th and birdied the 11th, it was just a matter of time.

Duly time was called with a gentle halve in par on the 13th, and for the fourth week in a row a bonus point.

Andrew's comments were our approaches were wayward, but it was a much quicker game without the trolley. Loz has found a way of making a battery that is good for 36 holes last for four games apparently -yet another early bath and more crucially a slip to the bottom of the table. Stephen and Mike must surely now be favourites for the title. Is there anybody out there that can live with them?

Next away saw a bleary-eyed Allan Morton, and Barry Frayne playing against Elvis and Ron Johns. With Elvis on the practice ground going through a text-book warm-up routine and Ron working on his putting, they looked like a pair who mean business.

Old stagers or rather seasoned golfers like Allan and Barry, however, have seen it all before. Straight on the tee, with only two Zorros as a warm-up, both balls were soon despatched straight down the middle - automatic pilot I think you call it.

If you didn't par it, you weren't in it was the tale of this match, with Allan and Barry going two up in as many holes. Elvis and Ron, however, are no pushovers and with holes swinging back and forth, they still found themselves two down at the turn, despite Ron chipping in on the ninth.

The heat of the battle was starting to warm up, with holes being won by both pairings. Elvis and Ron won the 11th and then the 13th with a birdie, and Allan and Barry won the 12th, 14th and 15th. With holes running out, Allan and Barry managed to hold the lead to win on the 17th.

After-game comment was "too much practising son", in best Lancastrian accent, although Elvis was last seen heading to the practice ground -yet another spoiled Yorkshire pudding!

Last away saw Chris Hughes and Nigel Ayers playing against Dan Cope, standing in as substitute for Richard Chapman, and partnering Rob Hall. A very close game this, with some cracking play by both pairings,

Dan and Rob birdied the third and ninth, with Chris and Nigel replying on the eighth. Level par for the front nine saw Dan and Rob two up at the turn. With the 11th and 12th being won a hole apiece, the decisive point came when Dan chipped in for a birdie on the 14th to go three up. With Dan and Rob combining well, Chris and Nigel were pushed to live with them, and when Dan and Rob also won the 15th, the game was also won.

A big week last week for the bottom pairings who have managed to close the gap with a big group at the top. There is some middle ground to aim for now! Whilst at the top two defeats on the bounce has seen the Schooling/Field-Thomas bubble burst, with Stephen Davies and Mike Anthony reaching the top following a very profitable month. This weekend sees both top and bottom of the table clashes taking place, a six-pointer you might call it.

All this talk about birdies and pars must have the Rabbits quaking in their shoes when thoughts turn to the annual match. After this weekend's round of matches, the Divots table will be finalised and following the Rabbits completing their pre-Christmas fixtures a couple of weeks back, thoughts will be turning to who plays against who, how many shots will be given and on what hole do we start. The shield has already been engraved Divots 2003 and is on display for all Rabbits to drool over!

Club report

TURKEY DOUBLE

Last Saturday was the Christmas Greensome Foursomes which was held on a day that started very wet, but dried up during the day, although the wind never let up.

It was a very close competition, with the first four pairs getting 39 stableford points.

Winners were R. Morton and S. Evans with the better back six. Second were A. and A. P. Morton with a better score on the back nine than third-placed T. Hilling and M. Heywood, while in fourth place were M. Allen and M. Barrett.

Thirty-six pairs took part, which was very good considering the weather.

Twelve pairs had 2s, namely G. Rees and G. Thomas; N. Vincent and C. John; D. Stone and R. Schofield; J. Thomas and G. Jennings (2); M. Allen and M. Barrett; R. Morton and S. Evans; J. Morris and D. Skyrme; N. Lovatt and R. Johnsl P. Rossi and S. Rossiter; M. Wainwright and S. Amos; D. Cope and G. McNeilly (2); and M. Heywood and T. Hilling.

THIS WEEKEND

The competition tomorrow (Saturday) is the Wines and Spirits Stableford - again a fun event, with some very consumable prizes.