Penultimate Eclectic leaves door open

With just one more Eclectic to go next week, the leaderboard is very tight in both the nett and gross sections, with only two shots covering the top five in both divisions.

In the order of merit just three points separate the first and fourth spots, so it is still wide open there; in fact, a good finishing score from any one of six players at the top could see them take the Clifton John Trophy.

In Tuesday's Eclectic, although very dry, the temperatures continued to hover only a few degrees above freezing and it was essential that you kept moving, which thankfully most players did this week. Most players were very grateful to get back to the warmth of the clubhouse.

In this week's event, Dudley Williams produced his best round of the winter to take top spot on 39 points. He also received a reduction of one shot down to 20 for his efforts. Dudley was not too sure whether this was a good thing or not, as it did increase his return in the eclectic by one shot.

In second place on 37 points was Graham Jenkins, who also scored a fine two on the 12th. He pipped Paul Nixon, also on 37 points, with a better back nine return. Paul has been rather consistent over the last few weeks and figures quite prominently in the Order of Merit.

There were two other 2s, from Rod Clarke on the 12th and Alan Yates on the 17th.

Captain Tony Morgan gave the seniors an update on the meal situation for the forthcoming summer seniors club matches, plus a request for more seniors to add their names for the forthcoming Glynhir match on Thursday, March 14. Also, advising that there are a couple more spots on the Vale trip on May 14.

Next week's competition will be the final Stableford eclectic, the draw has already been completed and the list posted on the seniors site and at the club. Should you wish to play in this event, there are spaces across the line.

Next week will see our regular scribe return from his wanderings around the Pyramids.

J.D.M.

Nearly 80 players in Monthly Medal

Seventy-six players took part in Saturday's February Monthly Medal, which was played on a cold, but thankfully dry day.

Lowest gross score recorded on the day was 77 by two-handicapper Richard Morton, which was still not good enough to get him among the prizes (apart from a share of the twos sweep that is), while best nett was 69 by 18-handicapper Stephen Cole, which earned him the medal in division two - and a handicap reduction of one shot.

There was no such reduction for the division one medal winner, though, Terry Davies's nett 73 being just one shot better than a chasing pack of three players on 74.

Leading scores and prize winners were as follows:

Division One: 1. Terry Davies 87-14-73 (medal plus £36.50); 2. Nick Thomas 79-5-74, on countback (£27.50); 3. Ian J. Thomas 85-11-74, on countback (£18); 4. Stan Hudson 87-13-74 ( £9).

Division Two: 1. Stephen Cole 87-18-69 (medal plus £36.50); 2. Richard Prout 87-16-71 (£27.50); 3. Rees Simon Davies 89-17-72 (£18); 4. Michael Anthony 91-18-73 (£9).

Twos: Steven Court, Peter Rossi, Jeremy Morris, Richard Morton (£18.75 each).

Bag draw: David Webb, Steve Court, Mike Anthony, Paul Nixon, David Henry (£14.60 each),

Pro Shop draw: Neil Webb (pair of Footjoy Softjoys shoes).

Handicap changes: Nick Allen 18 to 17; Michael Anthony 18 to 17; Gareth Brace 14 to 15; Donald Callnon 16 to 17; Stephen Cole 18 to 17; Rees Simon Davies 17 to 16; Stan Hudson 13 to 12; Owen James 25 to 23; Richard Prout 16 to 15; John Stenson 10 to 11; David Webb 3 to 4.

Rabbits Winter League nears completion

The penultimate round of this year's Rabbits Winter League resulted in the confirmation of the runners-up position being taken by Steve Watkins and Chris Smith. Tony Morris subbed for Steve and he helped Chris come back from three down to win the match on the final hole.

The fixtures for the final week include Bill and Mackie against Phil and Robin, with the third place trophy up for grabs and Mark and Peter against Paul and Mike for the wooden spoon decider.

The results from the latest two rounds were as follows:

Round 13: Paul Davies and Mike Munro bt Phil Carpenter and Robin Bradbury 1 up; Steve Watkins and Chris Smith bt Bill Davies and Mackie Harts 2 and 1; Steve Cole and Bob Flower bt Mark Edwards and Peter Turton 6 and 5.

Round 14: Bill Davies and Mackie Harts bt Paul Davies and Mike Munro 3 and 1; Steve Watkins and Chris Smith bt Mark Edwards and Peter Turton 1up; Steve Cole and Bob Flower bt Phil Carpenter and Robin Bradbury 2 and 1.

Our thanks go to Tony Morris and Richard Prout for subbing over the two rounds. Tony has now subbed on five occasions and has a 100 per cent success rate.

DUFFY CUP AND JOE S. WILLIAMS SHIELD

After completion of the Winter League, the next competitive outing will be on Sunday, March 24, when the Rabbits play their only medal competition for the best gross and best net scores. All Rabbits who have participated in the Winter League are eligible to play. Please be in the clubhouse by 8.45 for a 9 am start.

Junior Section

The Juniors played a stableford on Sunday in cold conditions. The yellow box category was won by Ben Sheldon with 19 points and the red box by Olivia Bradbury with 31.

The March Monthly Medal is this Sunday. Meet at the club at 10.30 for an 11 am start.