The opening round of the Rabbits Winter League took place last Sunday. There are 32 superbly conditioned athletes on display with many many substitutes backing. The weather was benign, a day for glorious golf.

The superb greens were yielding, the conditions still, and the Rabbits took advantage. Attacking the pin with long shots; the spin arresting the ball; giving the players many chances of premium scores. This was a day for the birdie and your correspondent gathered that the average birdie count was four per game.

Standards are high this year.

First off the tee were one of the league favourites Mike Anthony and John Stevenson. Soon they were five up playing to a birdie - par tune. But the opposition were soon fired up by this early assault and Fred Adlam and Brian Dooley clawed their way back into the game. The favourites were beginning to crumble as relentless pressure told.

It was only on the 17th that this match was resolved and the favourites now have much to consider if they are to claim silver at season's end. It is thought that pressure will be their downfall. Mike Anthony thought the pressure could be alleviated in matches ahead. He had forgotten to bring his hip flask for the league opening.

Second away were Dave Moran and the scholastic Simon Evans, up against Stephen Price and his divine substitute Meurig Jones. No quarter was given, the match ending in a bruising half. Stephen Price was making his debut in the winter league and walked off the course in a state of trauma. Never had he experienced such an intense sporting contest. But he had enjoyed it. Did your correspondent hear him say that if all matches are like this I will have to give up my job, my family and pets. "Clearly my life ambition now is to be a winning Rabbit."

Third match away included our excellent club captain Mike Fox playing as a substitute this week and partnering the young and promising Stephen Watkins. Mike played his normal dashing game and with Stephen they cantered to victory over Ray Bowen and Peter Cray. The result five and four.

The young Stephen in the interview tent after play described his experience so eloquently. "A red letter day for me. Not only have I met the club captain, but I have played with him and learned so much. Better than my wedding day in fact."

Peter Moss and George Spain now top the table, after a close win over Ron Murphy and Steve Harris. Experience told in this game, but tragedy struck after George lost his sand iron early in his round.

One hopes this will be returned to him prior to this Sunday, for without his favourite iron he will be playing like a man with no arms. It is a valuable club for collectors given the ownership connection. It is said to be akin to a Winston Churchill cigar case or even the Crown Jewels. We all keep our eyes on the Sotheby Christie catalogues, for George's sake.

Brian Hartley chose a devastating shirt for play this week. It was Keystone Cop in cut. The colour co-ordinator was obviously Jacob. He and his partner Johnnie Davies gained a comfortable victory over Glyn Price and John Murphy, who claimed they could not play against such dazzle. Brian and his shirt were always in their line of vision as they addressed the ball. On the other hand, John Murphy, good player as he is, must learn to handle his new motorised trolley. His round this week was mainly marked by the fact that his bag kept falling off. He had to pay more attention to retrieving it and completely forgot to play his normally perfect game.

Colin Smith and Ian Thomas, too, are amongst the pre-season favourites. On this day they were matched against new boys Dave Morgan and Gordon Glaves. This was a baptism of fire for the new boys, for Colin and Ian rarely put a foot wrong. They were fortified by Colin's hip flask and never succumbed to nerves. A frightening awesome display by them.

The new society leader, Philip Marsden, was overcome by stage fright as he took the honour on the first tee. Really his big moment in life. He wound up for a Tiger Woods' type drive, but regrettably he was not up to the occasion. It went high, but not straight. Nor did it go far as the ball buried itself in the near rough. They say this shot is known as a Faded Gladys.

However, his substitute partner this week, Cyril Evans, took total control of his partner, and Tom Pritchard and John Murcott suffered the humiliation of being defeated by such a duffer.

The last match out went all the way to the last green, with Peter Watkins and substitute Mike Evans just winning on the last green with a three against a four. The disappointed pair, Clive Law and Jonathan Broome, took it all in their stride. Curiously, both of these are Manchester City football fans. They are well conditioned to disappointment.

Thus the league has got under way once again. The golf had been very good and one must surmise that prospects for future Ryder Cups are well assured for the European team.

Results were as follows: M. Anthony and J. Stevenson bt F. Adlam and B. Dooley 2 and 1; D. Moran and S. Evans halved with M. Jones and S. Price; M. Fox and S. Watkins bt R. Bowen and P. Cray 5 and 4; P. Moss and G. Spain bt R. F. Murphy and S. Harris 4 and 2; B. Hartley and J. Davies bt G. Price and J. Murphy 5 and 4; C. Smith and I. Thomas bt D. Morgan and G. Glaves 7 and 6; C. P. Marsden and C. Evans bt T. Pritchard and J. Murcott 5 and 4; P. Watkins and M. H. Evans bt C. Law and J. Broome 1 up.