On a course that was in excellent condition, Carmarthen seniors could be forgiven for thinking that all was lost for their visitors. But the Tenby seniors were in no mood for rolling over and giving in, and after the usual pep talk and bonding from captain John D.R.Williams, the Tenby team stepped forward to be counted.

Unfortunately, the pep was missing from the first game, as J.D.R. and I met the best pair on the day.

Pictured are Carmarthen's captain Alun Evans, ably assisted by an enthusiastic Bill Bowen, who ran in birdies both gross and nett. But, we managed to contain them for 10 halves, and even got back from 4 down to only 2.

But the penultimate blow came on the 16th, when Alun's bunker shot from a difficult lie, finished 18-inches from the hole. Such was our desperation that we made him putt out!

The final blow came on the next hole, when once again Alun struck. His tee shot went through the branches of a lone pine, finished in the middle of the fairway, and an easy looking second shot left us hoping for a birdie of our own, to keep the game alive. But, the handicapping came to their rescue, and it was goodnight Irene!

J.D.R's proud showing of the honours board and his Chairman's Bowl win in 1963, was the only bright spot of our day.

Hywell Probert was also suitably impressed with the opposition, as he and Derek Bath succumbed to the wiles of Ken Edwards and David Thomas. "The wives think that we come out here and play golf for pleasure," said Derek, "they don't seem to realise the stress that we put ourselves under to try and win a game". Will the wives appreciate that humour?

"We live to fight another day," said Carmarthen's Tony Brant, as he and Tony Hurd met the immovable force known as Ken Gouldsbrough and Geoff Aston.

Ken struck again with his birdies, ably assisted by the solid game play of Geoff, who opined that "great game, great opponents and glad to win". First blood to Tenby after all.

Not a brilliant game from David Evans and David Morgan, but solid. Tony Greedy and Graham John can consider themselves just a bit unlucky not to have won another hole or perhaps two, but perhaps it was the new hair style sported by David Morgan. He looked like it had been cut and styled in Reading jail. His local watering hole must be making a mint for charity!

John Hall was pleased to play Carmarthen, as his previous club Woodlake Park, was another great parkland course and he felt quite at home.

Partner Malcolm Arlott, was not impressed at all with Carmarthen's Wyndam Jones and Ray Sinden, as Ray's second shots into the green on 10, 11 and 12, brought them back to all square. They had to pull up their collective socks to fund a 3 and 2 win from a determined Carmarthen pairing.

Things looked decidedly upbeat from Tenby's point of view, as Dave Miller and Alan Keating turned a 2 down deficit at 11, to a very good and solid 3 and 2 win against Kevin Owen and Mike Cronin. This was a fancied pairing for Carmarthen, so a psychological blow was struck, as Tenby went four games to 2 up.

But, plunging into the red figures went Bob Harris and John Charnock, as Dai Hopkins and John Evans turned the screw a little.

"They were not as friendly as they should have been," said Bobby a trifle ruefully, "but they were excellent company". What more could you ask from a game between gentlemen.

A game that set up great discussion in the club house bar, whilst waiting for the result, was between our own David Leeke and Des Stone, and Gerwyn Davies and Bill Kirke.

One up with one to play, and it looked like a foregone conclusion, but two wayward shots on the 18th showed the pressure that they were under, and a valuable half for Carmarthen was taken.

Offering medical and mental support for Owen Monaghan, who was awaiting major surgery on an ingrown toenail, proved too much for Newman Vincent, and their game against a totally unmoved Roger Mitchell and Harry Taylor, provided a much needed win for the home side.

Newman said that the thought of having to do the afore said major surgery on the offending digit in the middle of Carmarthen golf course, was a burden that no one should have to shoulder, and was a little off putting to his game plan.

Finally, and arguably, one of the best pairings of the day for Tenby, fell to earth faster than Newton's apple.

Clifton John and Jim Taylor were all level at the 7th, then David Morris and Gordon Jeremy turned up the heat, and won the next six holes on the trot. "You cannot print in a family newspaper how I feel," said Clifton. Jim felt a little peeved over the number of strokes even he had to give! Ah well, what could have been lads.

Extending a warm welcome to John D. R. and Tenby to Carmarthen, captain Alun Evans could scarcely hide his delight when giving the result, and also gave a brief history lesson, that included references to Oliver Cromwell, who also had some notable victories!

John Williams replied by thanking Carmarthen for the superb hospitality shown us, and passed on his thanks to the green staff for the course presentation, and to the caterers for the match meal.

He said that he had fond memories of Carmarthen course, hence his Chairman's Bowl success.

He also mentioned that he was considering putting forward at the next senior's AGM that we introduce a 'fines monitor', to fine members who do not abide by the dress rule. All collections will go to charity. Modesty prevented him from naming the current two miscreant, but they came from St Florence!

Results: Carmarthen names first.

A.Evans and B.Bowen bt J.D.R.Williams and J. Hancock 3 and 1; K. Edwards and D. Thomas bt H. Probert and D. Bath 4 and 3; T. Hurd and T. Brant lost to K. Gouldsbrough and G. Aston 2 and 1; T. Greedy and G. Johns lost to D. Morgan and D. Evans 2 and 1; W. Jones and R.Sinden lost to M.Arlott and J. Hall 3 and 2; K. Owen and M. Cronin lost to D. Miller and A. Keating 3 and 1; D. Hopkins and J. Evans bt J. Charnock and B. Harris 3 and 2; G. Davies and B. Kirke halved with D. Stone and D. Leeke; R. Mitchell and H. Taylor bt O. Monaghan and N. Vincent 5 and 3; D. Morris and G. Jeremy bt J.Taylor and C. John 5 and 4.

Carmarthen 5, Tenby 45.

J. B. H.