Sussex v Bedfordshire

Following Sussex Captains' embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Lady Captains, can we return to winning ways?

We head back to The Dyke seeking revenge on a Bedfordshire Team who, last year, inflicted a significant defeat on Sussex. There was some skullduggery involved as their team was packed with home club captains (Let it go Joe. Ed) (No Ed, Joe). Anyway, a strong team awaited the visitors. Would we manage to put them to bed? Read on to find out. 

Match One

Ian Potter (Captain) and Kevin Weatherill (Dyke Captain and good guy) went out with Martyn Latch (Beds Captain) and Dave McGarry (Club Captain). In answer to the question posed in the headline, the Captain's answer is no. It all went wrong with Martyn's par on the first, and it was downhill from there. The match swung back and forth, with never more than two in it. Martyn played the last four holes well, using his shots to win.  Lost 2&1.

Match Two

Bryan Mundy and Peter Brookshaw squared up to Mike Vickers and Barry Walls. This was an enjoyable game with two great guys. The scores oscillated back and forth, but Sussex ended up on the wrong side of the pendulum. Next time! Lost 2&1.

Match Three

Andy Lamb and Paul Warley entertained Clive Bassindale and Mike Davies (Not that one. Ed).  An early two-hole lead was soon pegged back to all square, becoming two down at the turn. Mr Warley eventually decided to join in and got us back to all square. When I left him with glory putt to go one up, he took it (Who needs Mickey Grimes? Ed). We held on to win the last and make the score look good!   Won 2 Up.

Match Four

Richard Jays and Mitch Clark weighed in against Robbie John and Peter Kay (Not that one. Ed).   Peter and Robbie began under the curse of the Wetherspoons (? Have you been at the pop again? Ed) going four down. After the haze cleared, it became a close match. We stayed ahead. Once again, we made new friends.   Won 3&1.

Match Five

Peter Ward and Keith Talbot  proved age is no barrier in taking on Steve Whitney and Malcolm Waters. Two birdies in the first two holes by Peter ‘Golden Balls’ ‘Tarzipan’ ‘The Grey Chevallier’ (Stop it. Ed) Ward and Keith ‘Monster putts’ Talbot gave Sussex a good basis against Steve and Malcolm. Malcolm’s Shot of The Day, to 18”, reduced Sussex’s lead at the fifth. Golden Balls said Malcolm could have the putt. Gradually, with Pete hitting every fairway and Keith gazing on in awe, our heroes ran out easy winners. Steve reckoned the last time he saw someone hit so many fairways they played off the red tees; Pete duly obliged. (Well done. Ed) Won 5&4.

Match Six

Alan Butcher and Andy Plowright played Dave Hawkins (IPC) and Chris Foster (Hon Sec).   There were a lot of halves in a tight game until wins on 16 and 17 got Sussex past the winning post. Dave and Chris were good company; when all four of us were scratching out fours. They enjoyed the course and its seanic (sic) setting.  Won 2&1.

Match Seven

Joe Angella and Simon Watts enjoyed the company of  Phil Farrow and Colin Smith.  This was a tight game until a McFlurry of birdies from last year’s skipper (One doesn’t like to blow one’s own t. Ed) spoiled a close match (Oh. Ed). The demoralising effect sustained us to the fifteenth. On the plus side, we got to watch the games in front of us play their matches…  Won 4&3. 

Match Eight

Nigel Wates and Richard Bevan faced Nick Clark and John Reeds.    This match was played in the right spirit (said the winners. Ed). Bedfordshire had a baptism of fire playing East Brighton on Wednesday and the Dyke today. (Is that it? I mean, as match reports go, it is a little on the thin side. Where is the cut and thrust, the exciting moments or the witty banter? Ed.) Won 4&2

Sussex put Bedfordshire to bed!

What a brilliant day. When we turned up the weather was cool, cloudy and a tad breezy. Over a rather delicious Coronation Chicken sandwich, a couple of pints of Harveys and some entertaining cricket, the wind dropped, and the sun came out. Perfect.

The course was in great condition, the test of golf fair and the company as excellent as you would expect. This was finished off with a delicious two-course meal and the table wine of the year. A 6-2 victory over Bedfordshire was the icing on the cake.

Next up, Cambridge at Brampton Park.