Seniors Captain Algy Grimes reports
It was an overcast start to the day, with the clouds allowing the occasional glimpse of the sun and eventually a small shower of rain towards the end of the match.
Playing off the yellow tees on the John O’Gaunt course, the fairways were in super condition, although the greens had been treated during the few days prior to the match and took a bit of getting used to.
The first pairing of Nigel Underwood and myself, playing my last match as Seniors Captain, enjoyed a very close game. We were 1 up at the halfway point, then I managed to birdie the 10th to go two up. Nigel won the 12th to put us 3 up.
With the fairway on the 13th closed for new irrigation work, it was decided to cross the river towards the 6th tee and play from the start of the fairway there. We then lost that hole. I forgot I had a putt for a half because I had never been on this green in 2 before so lost it.
Nigel then won the 14th to bring us back to 3 up. Perhaps I shouldn’t have commented that we only needed a win or half on 15 and we can’t lose! The lesson is don’t tempt fate or be complacent, as we then lost the 15th and 16th. So still all to play for being 1 up going down 17. Both the home team managed to par the hole for a win and that sealed this match 2 & 1.
Talking of the 17th, in match four, it was reported that the only point of note was Ray Smart’s 20 foot putt which also meant a 2 & 1 win. However, his opponent suggested Ray and his partner Keith Perry needed a drugs test because they take more pills than he does.
Sitting in the clubhouse waiting for the results to come in, we were 4 – 1 up, so we couldn’t lose and it looked good for a win. Not to be, as the results came in one by one in favour of the opponents so the overall result was a 4 – 4 draw.
Other match results were David McNair & James Stirling won 1 up, David Crosby & Richard Westergreen-Thorne narrowly lost 1 down, Sam Standen & Andrew Lawrence lost 2 & 1, Stuart Wilcox (now unbeaten in his two matches) & Nick Seeley won 6 & 5, and the last two matches of Trevor Darrington & David Streatfield and Jim Kerr & Nick Schumann both being on the losing sides.
Nearest the pins were won by Richard Westergreen-Thorne for JOG on the 16th and by the visiting Captain, Roger Loft on the 4th This being his birthday, it was fitting that he went away with a bottle of wine.
Everyone enjoyed the Carvery that followed and there were plenty of complimentary comments about how good the John O’Gaunt course is by Bedford & County players.
Finally, thanks to David E.J. Price for organising the match despite not playing himself.
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