Tenby Rabbits move their way into the second half of their Three Counties Summer League programme in an attempt to defend their title for a second time with a second home contest in a string of four in four weeks against northerly Cwmrhydneuadd. The visitors brought seven pairs (plus a courtesy three ball) in an effort to gain an away win to take them to the summit of the league (writes Warren Hacker, our links reporter).

After a fine 8-0 win against South Pembs. the previous week, the homesters needed another bonus point boost to climb further up the league ladder and Captain Martin decided against shuffling his squad too much - managing to send out five pairings who had had previous successes.

Leading off this week were new pairing Paul D and Kieron, with Paul’s second outing mirroring his first as they went up the 18th with a slender lead and halved the hole to win one up.

Captain Martin was next off with his butty Chris. If there had been any spectators on the course, they would have seen a fine example of golfness from Chris as he notched well over 40 points on his own on their way to a four and three victory.

Off after them were William and Steve C who held a healthy four hole advantage after four and closed out a seven and five success on the 13th when birdie boy Bill notched the 1st in a run of four out of five holes - now all he needs to do is do it when the real pressure is on!

Fourth on the tee were treasurer Mark and Phil. They had a four hole deficit early on against big hitting Byron and this proved to be too large a hill to overcome - although they only lost one down when Mark’s par putt didn’t drop on the 18th.

The two generations of the Watkins family set off next. This was their fifth pairing and turned out to be their fifth success, but they were pushed all the way in a two and one victory, and Grant also won a ball in the raffle - which he may get his hands on if Steve remembers.

The other new coupling of the day saw Ian J and secretary Peter setting off in match six. It was Peter’s fourth partner and Ian’s third in three weeks, but they didn’t let their captain down as they came in with an excellent five and four win.

The ‘rear gunners’ for the home team consisted of Robin and vice-captain Paul C. It was their fifth outing together and they have yet to be beaten at home as they gelled well in their six and five triumph, with Paul out-performing Robin in the hole-winning contest. The medic also ended up being the perfect host as he played the rest of the course with their opponents whilst his busy working partner had an early exit to catch up on work stuff.

The final score of a home victory by 6-1 meant five bonus points (the first six matches count for bonuses), plus three for a home win so Tenby increase their total by eight to 39.5 and they now move up to sixth with two away and four home games still to play. They also have played fewer matches than teams ahead of them, although they will need to have some success on their travels to have any hope of title honours.

Still unbeaten Grant has maintained his lead in the Mick Gillet Trophy for summer league points as he’s moved to 25, ahead of Steve W on 21 (if they are picked together each week Steve will never catch up!), then Kieron next on 14, Chris on 13, Adrian and Steve C on 12 with the other ‘double-digit scorers’ being Robin, Mark and Phil all with 11 points.

Captain Martin’s next job is team selection for Cardigan at home next week. Good luck boys!