Sussex Golf Captains
Sussex v Essex 2024
As the season draws to a close we come to the last home match of the season. We are off to Cottesmore to take on our friends from Essex. It's always a pleasure to welcome these fine gentlemen as they enjoy a jolly boys' outing.
Our season is delicately poised, having won as many matches as we’ve lost. The big question is will Nigel finish the season as a winning Captain? Or will he end up buying a clapped-out Capri Ghia with 20,000 miles on the clock, a Fsh and one lady owner? And who is Martin?Read on, dear reader, read on.
Match 1
Nigel Wates and Harry Read vs Brian Sparkes (VC) and Kevin Smith.
This was a cracker. Essex tried to blag extra courtesy shots but Nigel was having none of it. There was lots of lip, sorry that should read lip outs. Sussex held on to win, with Harry giving a putting masterclass. Kevin will have to put this one down on his spreadsheet as a loss. Won 3&2
Match 2
Phil Manser and Andy Lamb vs Gareth Olney and Phil Smith
A game of two and fro, played in heavy rain. We were 2 down then 2 up, with Phil keeping our head above water. We came to the eighteenth all square. It all came down to the final putt on the last. Suffice to say we lost. At least it didn’t rain as much as at Sweetwoods. Lost 1 Down.
Match 3
Mick Grimes and Ronni Schrevel vs Kevin Tibble and Foley Bakare.
Well matched pairings, there was only ever one hole in it. Martin (Who is this Martin of whom you speak? There is no Martin in either team? Ed.) split every fairway and kept Sussex in it. A lucky 12-foot putt on the eighteenth gave Essex the match. Lost 1 Down. (Martin?)
Match 4
Kevin Elphick and Mitch Clark vs Rob Ayrton and Baldev Sehmbi.
Kevin and Mitch were not at their Sunday best, but we scrambled and ham and egged it well. They were never more than two up, it was a tough game. Mitch was knackered. Half.
Match 5
Richard Bevan and Nigel Pearson vs Chris Callaway and David Barber.
Unfortunately for our opponents the game was against them after we went four up after five. They rallied bravely and made us work for our win. However, we managed to hold on and beat them…in the rain! Won 6&5.
Match 6
Joe Angella and Peter Hawley vs Peter English and Bob Chamberlain
We were soundly thrashed by Peter and Bob, but mostly Peter. We knew we were up against when we lost the first hole to Bob even though he played the fifteenth by mistake. We did offer our guests the chance to walk in at 15 as we were near the clubhouse, they declined and we got drenched, not that I am bitter about it. Lost 6&5.
Match 7
Malcolm Holmes and Jon Gross vs Paul Cooper and Richard Gregory
A great match with Paul and Richard. The conversation ranged far and wide, with experience at golf majors featuring. Apparently Peter Allis died owing Richard £25 for a pair of trousers. We reminisced about Bill Rogers winning The Open at Royal St Georges. Between we have visited The Open every year between 1975-1988, it was 1981. (Good to know…Have you been at the cheese again? Ed.) Won 2&1
Match 8
Richard Jays and Nigel Powell vs Terry Glover and Tony Mansfield.
Although the score flatters Sussex (It does, it does…Ed) it does not do justice to a very good Essex pair (It does, it does…Ed) Every hole was down to putts, but the Sussex ball knew where the hole was. When Essex hit the hole it refused to drop. Won 6&5.
Match 9
Harold Knight and Des ‘Multiball’ Malcolm vs Nigel Popper and Tony Cook.
Harold needs to change his attitude. “I can’t hit 230 yards, even with three eight irons”. This is the reason we lost (That and that you lost 14 balls. Ed) Negative thoughts, Harold, believe and you will succeed! Lost 4&3.
Match 10
Alan Butcher and Simon Ward vs Lol Kingsnorth and Tony Dance
This was a close match. After going 3 down thru five the match swung back and forth with some good putts holed. Paly improved further on the back nine to finish 2 down. It was great company and a a good match. Lost 2&1 (rflmao. Ed).
So, there you have it. A narrow defeat on home soil for the Sussex team. Essex came and rained on our parade. This defeat means we need against Buckinghamshire to finish with a winning percentage.
Result
Sussex 4.5 - 5.5 Essex
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
