The last round of the Divots Winter League was played on Sunday in near perfect conditions, with blue skies, bright winter sunshine and a cool breeze to stop the over-energetic breaking sweat. First match out featured the top pairing of Ron Johns and Clive Law against Andrew Morton and Chris Davies. The league leaders and favourites for the title went one up on the first, but that was the only time they led, as Andy and Chris won two, three and then four by slotting a 20-foot putt. They remained two up at the turn and a birdie two on 12 saved Ron and Clive from conceding a bonus point, but it was too little too late as they lost 4 and 3. Andrew is unbeaten since losing his regular partner 'Gav the Walrus' Field-Thomas and enlisting the services of Chris 'The Ringer' Davies. Second out saw big Nigel Ayers and Scott Davies against a solo Rob Wilcox. Rob put up a spirited performance on his own playing against two steady players and managed to avoid giving the big fellas a bonus point - thanks to a birdie on 14 - before being beaten 4 and 3. Rob was left wondering about the wellbeing of his partner, as he has not heard from him, which is unlike Brian. Third out was the battle for third spot in the league between the steady pairing of Richard Chapman and Lawrence Linsey and big-hitting Adam Joseph and bad-putting Rob Hall. It was a match of two halves, Richard and Lawrence having the best of the front nine, going three up at one point, but being pulled back to one up at the turn. Adam was relieved to see that Rob had brought a putter that worked this week, as he managed to hole most of the putts he was missing in previous weeks. Fortunes swung on the back nine. Even though Richard and Lawrence won 10 to go two up, Adam and Rob hit back immediately to win 11 and 12 and then on 13 Adam slotted a 15-foot downhill slider for a birdie three to go one up for the first time. The match was all-square after 15, but some good irons into greens saw Adam and Rob home by a 2 and 1 margin. Last out were title-chasers, the two Gareths, Rees and Phillips, against Steve Davies and Ian Thomas. This was a tight, nervy match, with the Gareths playing catch up all the way round after being three down after 10. When the match reached 14, they were being watched by Ron Johns from the railway bridge, so the boys faked a 5 and 4 win by shaking hands, leaving Ron to think trophy dreams had been snatched away. Ron sportingly offered his congratulations to the Gareths, who then proceeded to the 15th tee to continue the match! They arrived at the 18th tee all-square. After the tee shots, the Gareths looked to be favourites. Ian had other ideas and struck a five-wood to within 15 feet of the pin. Gareth Rees managed to hit his seven-iron to 20 feet. Step up Gareth Phillips. He coolly slotted the putt, leaving Steve a 15-footer to halve the match. Steve watched the putt sneak agonisingly past the cup, handing the Gareths victory and a tie at the top-of-the-table. A play-off to decide the honours will now be incorporated in the Tucker Cup, to be played this Sunday. The wooden spoon, meanwhile, has gone to the Divots' captain Loz Phillips and his partner and Observer editor Neil Dickinson. Results: Ron Johns and Clive Law lost to Andrew Morton and Christopher Davies 4 and 3; Scott Davies and Nigel Ayers bt Rob Willcox (partner absent) 4 and 3; Richard Chapman and Lawrence Linsey lost to Adam Joseph and Rob Hall 2 and 1; Gareth Rees and Gareth Phillips bt Steve Davies and Ian Thomas 1 up.
