It was a really nice day for the seniors at Milford Haven last Thursday, lots of sunshine, hardly any wind and a course that was in excellent condition. Ken Gouldsbrough was back to his best again, this time with cricketing legend Brian Morgan. A very close game with Milford captain John Laugharne and his partner Harry Porter ensued. Harry didn't throw any clubs or wobblies, and this may have been a factor in their eventual down fall. Going one up, then two up, then back again, the game swung back and forth until a long critical putt from Ken on the 16th left the Tenby pair dormie two up. He then proceeded to sink an equally as long and critical one on the next to win his fifth game in the season. Brian said that he was pleased that Ken took the glory, as he played a real captain's game, and the final five holes were played like a pro! A totally absorbing game was next, with Milford's Roy Plummer and Ken Edwards playing a slightly apprehensive Paul Bradley and John Hancock. The Tenby pair took the opening hole with a par, followed by five halves in a row, until the eighth 'Jetty' hole fell to another nice par. The next two holes were halved in par figures and then three wins in a row put Tenby into a strong position. The crunch came on the 13th 'Fort' hole, when Ken Edwards sank his second shot for an eagle two, followed by a revitalised Paul, who sank his birdie putt for a 3 nett 2 and the half! What a finish, and it was all over on the next hole for a 5 and 4 win. Ken couldn't believe that his eagle was no good to him! Big hitting Gareth Rees and partner Vic Crossland were up against a solid Tenby pairing of Newman Vincent and David Rees. Going fairly quickly three down, Newman and David fought back to record a doughty halved game against an equally determined pairing. Gareth found his ball sitting on a tee peg on the ninth green after his drive. It didn't do too much harm. The third game out with John D. R. Williams and Malcolm Arlott was going to be a ding dong against Peter Ryder and Gordon Wright. Malcolm said that he had never seen J. D. R. drive so well. The buggy was their salvation up to a point, but unfortunately the momentum gained with the device didn't last, as their opponents stepped on their own gas and walked off with a handshake on the 16th. But super company all agreed. Bob Howse and David Leeke went quickly into a two up lead over Dom Grannuzzi and John Fairburn. From tee to green, the Tenby pair were very good indeed, but then the short game became a problem. Not so for Milford, as their short game and putting skills were red hot. This won them the game in the end. Bob has decided at last about his putters. He has come to the conclusion that having two or even three in his bag was too much, and has settled on one left-handed putter. Thank goodness for that, the suspense every week was beginning to build to fever pitch! Putting Tenby into the lead game wise, were Hywel Probert and Des Stone. They had a cracking game against Robbie Graham and Bert Jones. Des started with back to back birdies, and it looked like it might be a runaway, but the Milford pairing got back into the act, and started to hold their own right up to the end, before losing on the 18th. But the pressure was beginning to tell, and the last four games went to Milford. Alan Yates and Derek Bath said that their hopes of winning their game against Alan Morris and Bill Laugharne went out with the ferry to Ireland, as they went down by a margin of 6 and 5. Roy Morgan and Bob Harris thought that a buggy might do them some good against George James and Keith John, and Bob said that he didn't want to see another golf club or course again in all his life, but said he would be available for next week! When Bob Bird and Len Williams are on song, very few can get the better of them, and this week was no exception. Brian Waters and Owen Monaghan were like lambs to the slaughter and looked a little shocked as they called back into the clubhouse. Finally, Alan Keating was on his own, as his partner had to cry off at the last minute, and no replacement could be found for him. But he did his level best against Dai Blount and Brian Keen, and said that if he could have gone a few more holes then he would have turned the tables. Good effort Alan. John Laugharne, after a fine match meal, welcomed Ken and Tenby to Milford Haven club, and commented on the condition of the course that was to everyone's liking. He thanked all his players on reversing the scoreline from the previous outing against Tenby. Ken replied by thanking John and Milford for the warm welcome. He apologised to Alan Keating for not obtaining him a partner in time. He said it was a long time since he was able to say that he won, but the team lost! A splendid day out for all. Results, Milford names first: J. Laugharne and H. Porter lost to K. Gouldsbrough and B. Morgan 3 and 1; K. Edwards and R. Plummer lost to P. Bradley and J. Hancock 5 and 4; G. Rees and V. Crossland halved with D. Rees and N. Vincent; P. Ryder and G. Wright bt J. D. R. Williams and M. Arlott 3 and 2; J. Fairburn and D. Grannuzzi bt B. Howse and D. Leeke 2 and 1; R. Graham and B. Jones lost to H. Probert and D. Stone 1 up; A. Morris and B. Laugharne bt A. Yates and D. Bath 6 and 5; G. James and K. John bt R. Morgan and B. Harris 2 and 1; L. Williams and B. Bird bt B. Waters / O. Monaghan 5 and 3; D. Blount and B. Keen bt A. Keating 3 up.

Milford 6.5 Tenby 3.5.

J.B.H.