It was a wonderful day at Ogbourne Downs Golf course as all the players were being very careful to make sure that they took in a lot of liquid – to counter the hot weather, not for any other reason.
After a bacon roll the teams were announced and all the players prepared to take on the hilly course.
Marcus Woodward and Mike Robinson played in the first game against Tony Bolton and Shaun Carney. After celebrating Jude Bellingham’s goal a little too well our Captains of Captains was seen to be using a buggy due to a calf strain. Somerset started off well, but unfortunately Wiltshire made a strong comeback on the last nine and despite trying very hard to hold on Somerset lost 3 and 2.
The putting was the difference (this was the case in many of the matches) in the next match with Michael Poole and Chris Reed losing 5 and 3 to Tom Hepell and Paul McLoughlin.
Nip and tuck for 17 holes Somerset won the next match on the 18th in what was a terrific game. The two Phil’s, Stone and Barrett played Ian Mitchell and Harry Hassall with Somerset validating the phrase ‘snatching a win from the jaws of defeat’. Great company and a lovely day meant that both pairs felt that no one lost.
Barry Saunders and Dave Bedford lost 4 and 3 against the Wilts pairing of Stuart Shrewry and Dave McGory. In the report there was mention that one of our players was not having a good day with his partner having to bear the load. It would be rude for me to say who it was but well played Barry in taking it to the 15th.
Another loss of 5 and 3 was recorded by the Somerset pair of David Boulton and Jeff Saunders. The Wiltshire pair of Martin Lang and Gary Leighfield were just too good on the day.
The wonderful Match Manager Stephen Parker was playing with Ian Gover in the next match. With the differences in handicaps being quite even Wiltshire’s Rich Seply and Paul Rignal managed a few clutch putts to win the match 3 and 2. A fantastic match played in a wonderful spirit.
The course was presented in lovely condition and the next game played in the spirit of wonderful sportsmanship Somerset’s Martin Morgan and Matthew Baker did not breakdown and won 3 and 2 against their tough opponents Paul Shmell and Gary Stack.
The last match, Kevin Blakely and Andrew Cardus-Hall played in a match that went down to the last hole. With pars not being enough to win holes Wiltshire’s Dick Soloman and Steve Heghes won 2 and 1.
The final score being 6 and 2 there were some admissions that might explain Wiltshire’s win. All the Wiltshire pairs had a member from Ogbourne Downs playing. 3 of the Somerset team were born in Wiltshire and after the meal claimed that therefore they had not lost (Barrett, Gover and Parker were red carded but the disciplinary committee stated that they are able to play in the next game).
The filling meal of Steak Pie followed by Apple Crumble and custard provided by the club who had looked after us in a wonderful manner rounded off a great day.
