Due to intensity of fixtures and club competitions Seniors’ captain, Dudley Williams, found himself with a minor problem last week. There were not enough members to complete the line-up in the local derby played at Trefloyne. To the rescue came Mervyn Tucker accompanied by Chris Lawrence and in their introductory match against Colin Rowe and Glyn Latcham they managed to bring a smile to Dudley’s face.

With his usual graciousness and smile, Mervyn praised Chris’s contribution to their contest on the well-presented course. They were three up after four holes in their match and were able to maintain the momentum, ending the contest on the 15th hole to win by four and three. Both Tenby players agreed that they enjoyed the experience, so much, they might even make another guest appearance.

Dudley had drafted in the help of Peter Woodhouse after his prowess against the Searchers on Tuesday. Unlike on Tuesday, Peter did not have to give up shots to the opposition so, in a more relaxed frame of mind, he and Dudley were able to end the first nine all-square as they battled it out against John Drury and Wayne Connell. Unfortunately, they were unable to maintain their concentration and succumbed to the superior course knowledge of the Trefloyne captain and his running mate. They shook hands on the 16th.

Stan Hudson attributed his win to the quality of his partner’s golf. Keith Hubbard and Mike Allen provided the stiffest of opposition, only to be met with stubborn resistance of a Tenby pair on form. The team element was displayed on the 16th when Jeff Banfield completed a six-foot putt to win the hole and the match. Stan was instrumental in the winning of this hole since he advised Jeff to change from a seven to an eight-iron and furthermore by giving him the line for a difficult putt.

Derek Cole was partnered, for the second time, with John Ball, who had also stepped into the breach to help save the day. Could they maintain a one hundred percent record? John’s opening drive ended up in the hedge on the left, never to be recovered, and Derek’s somewhere amongst the trees on the right. Things did not look good and set the scene for their performance against the formidable Pat Casement and Keith Warmington. They manoeuvred their way, with a variety of swings and shots, around this picturesque course, only to have to concede on the 15th.

With four matches completed, it was two points each and Dudley was feeling optimistic. Allen Watts was next in and he had high hopes of more success. If he had witnessed Graham Harrison’s drive on the first which scudded under the gate 20 yards away on the left, his optimism might have been founded. Darrel Jones was there to steady the ship and this gave Graham the chance to play through some drives that were not in keeping with his general game. Things did improve and this was a very close encounter, with Allen and Des managing to win a hole, only to lose it a hole or two later, and this proved the pattern of the afternoon. Des messed up the two holes where he was the only one to have a shot and Allen, out of character, lost confidence in his putting. The visitors were two up with two to play and, guess what? They lost them both. Graham made up for his first drive with some great hitting against the wind on the last to level the match with a par five.

Peter Williams and David Rees were looking to maintain their hundred percent record and went toe to toe with Derek Jones and Alun Williams in a very close encounter. This was a blow by blow contest as they all fought for superiority. The match was all-square as they tee’d up on the last, so anything was possible. Somewhere down the 18th, against the strong wind, Peter lost his ball, to be followed by David, who did exactly the same - game over.

That left Alan Yates and John Hayhoe who endeavoured to overcome Bob Forest and Ian Whiting. Again this was a close encounter in which Alan said that John played well. Bob Forrest played better and this gave the home team the edge as they closed out this match on the 17th.

In his words of praise to all players and staff, Dudley related the story of the day. Playing against Wayne Connell, he discovered they both hailed from the same place, Blackwood. Dudley threw out a name, Harold, which Wayne recognised as possibly his uncle. He phoned him and gave Dudley the chance to speak to an old friend he had not heard from in 25 years.

Did we win? No, but we continue to maintain friendships.

Results: D. Williams and P. Woodhouse lost to J. Drury and W. Connell 4 and 2; S. Hudson and J. Banfield beat M. Allen and K. Hubbard 3 and 2; D. Cole and J. Ball lost to P. Casement and K. Warmington 4 and 3; M. Tucker and C. Lawrence beat C. Rowe and G. Latcham 4 and 3; A. Watts and D. Stone halved with G. Harrison and D. Jones; P. Williams and D. Rees lost to D. Jones and A. Williams 1 down; J. Hayhoe and A. Yates lost to B. Forrest and I. Whiting 2 and 1.