Sussex Golf Captains
Hampshire v Sussex
In a quest to get back to winning ways, Nigel selected a crack team of golfers to take on the age-old enemy.
We headed off to the deepest, darkest Hampshire. Our destination was the newly refurbished Cams Hall, where they've recently spent £7.5 million on a brand-new clubhouse! What a treat it was; the facilities were second to none.
It is worth noting that Hampshire Captains go out of their way to look after us. We always play at a quality venue, and they are great lads. Well, I say lads, some of them featured in the Doomsday Book. But this time, led by their the youthful Paul Mantell, they were out for a win. (Come on, get on with it. Ed)
Match One
Nigel Wates (Captain) and Ian Potter v Paul Mantell (Captain) and David Wallace. Ian started well but peaked early on. We were five up at the turn. Resting on our laurels, we lost a couple of holes, but mixing our metaphors, we put our foot on the gas again. Paul and David were excellent company. Won 5&3.
Match Two
Richard Jays and Mitch Clark v Kevin White and Alan Vincent. Alan and Mitch went to reform school together, while Mitch and Kevin are going through divorces. This led to loads of banter at Mitch's expense. Richard kept his head down. Great dovetailing led to a much-needed win . Won 4&3.
Match Three
Bryan Fairbrass (Not President) (84) and Peter Ward (President) (82) v Peter Applegate (age unknown) and Roger Corkhill (President) (104). Bryan played with two presidents and noted that he is only a Vice-President. Be that as it may, it was good company all around and a good game; it was a very enjoyable day at St Mellion. Won 5&4.
Match Four
Andy Plowright and Nigel Powell v Graham Clark and Derek Noyce. This was a close match with delightful company. Unfortunately, we could not find the hole with our putters (You may be doing it wrong; try hitting the ball. Ed). The same applied at the last as, once again, a par was not good enough to win the hole. Lost 1 Down.
Match Five
Andy Lamb and David Balfour v Simon Gale and Mark Bolton. Not our Sunday best. We got off to a slow start; unfortunately, we were never ahead despite two birdies each. Playing against a strong pair, we were up against it. After clawing our way back to all square, we managed to blow it again by going one down (Exciting stuff, Ed), but a par on the last salvaged a half. Phew! All Square.
Match Six
John Macaulay and Steve Dillamore v Graham Light and Eamonn Shields. A very closely fought match. The biggest lead was one hole, and the lead swapped several times. 89-year-old Eamonn excelled himself, but the cream came to the top over the last two holes. Won 1 Up.
Match Seven
Keith Talbot and Bryan Mundy v Andy Hoult and Ian Hibberd. It was a very close match until we hit the back nine. There was some sheer brilliance with chipping and putting. Before we knew it, Andy and Ian were three up. We dug in and fought our way back to claim a well-deserved half. Great company and a superb contest. All Square.
Match Eight
Peter Rodger and Brian Hooker v Adrian Nicol ad Ken Jones. The match was nip and tuck until the third, when they hit us with three wins on the trot. Well played, Ian and Adrian . Lost three down.
Match Nine
Phil Manser and Mick Grimes v Brian Wright and Nigel Rose. The Hampshire Captains were good company (Not great, eh? Ed). We were down with two to go. Eventually, we won one up. Mickey played well, and Phil (Undefeated) applauded at all the right moments. Won 1 Up.
Match Ten
Bev Legg and Trevor Haeger v Barry Stevens and Tony Daly. A fast start by Hampshire, going two up after two, gave them confidence. We applied slow and constant pressure, enabling us to level up. Two wins put us ahead, but they got it back again. A forty-foot putt on the last par three for a birdie led to our demise. We are sure the opposition sleeps with their putters (Doesn't everyone? Ed). Lost 1 Down.
The result was a 6-4 win for Sussex.
There you have it; the Captain's strategic pairings paid off, and we are back on the winning trail.
The food was delicious, the hospitality was second to none, and the weather played its part. (Yes, but what about the beer? Ed.)
Up next, Oxford at Worthing.
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
