Winter League Week 5 As it starts to hot up in the approach to the half way stage of this year’s Winter League competition, there was BIG UPSET in this round of matches!! After showing no form and having no points whatsoever so far, people have been writing them off, mocking their form and condemning them to the wooden spoon position. However, it happened………. Remarkable it may seem, but Rothwell and Benson final got a point with a hard-earned draw against Jackson and Lord in Division D. After a bright start to their campaign, Jackson and Lord now look to be the team to play against after faltering recently. Also in division D - Rogers and Mobley are looking ominous. After a catch-up victory last week against the holders, they easily saw off Parkes and Pfeiffer. Meanwhile Booth and Blain salvaged a late half against Allen and Beswick who themselves look handily placed in second position. The big pair up in Division C happened last week when the 100 percenters Udall and Hunt defeated Marshall and Major in a top of the table clash. Although Marshall and Major, adopted the unusual tactic of playing together for once, it was to no avail. With the leaders in the group not playing, a Marshall-less Major returned to form with a ‘dog licence’ win over the luckless White’s. Taylor and Stewardson had an impressive win against and PP and the Shark, whilst keep an eye on Kirk and Garner, who’s final hole win over Tallents and Walters sees them handily placed, with games in hand. Division B looks to be the tightest of all the divisions with jockeying for positions going on. Barlow and Brown head the table after seeing off Knight and Slater. Hovering behind them are the young Bucks - Greenall and Tetlow, who despite a slow start to the competition appear to have found their feet now and impressively beat Cole and Booth to go second. However, keep your eyes on the pack behind them. The Stone’s had no game today, but remain third. The leaders need to watch out for the chasing dark horses (well they may have been dark once) - the now silver foxes Leah and Rogerson are well placed and will be in the running after beating Stevens and Bailey. Also tucked in behind and ready to come ‘racing through’ are the VV’s Volp and Vause – that’ll be worth a watch! There are new outright leaders in Division A as Levis and Thorley go marching on with victory over the stewardson’s in the days big game. Prof and Plod have moved up into third place with a win over The Dog and Ivor. Meanwhile Captain and ‘stand in Pro’ Callum saw off a spirited revival from Dave Quirk and reserve call up Ian Penny to win on the last with the Pro sinking a long putt.
A footnote from week 4 where Andy Bennett’s request to the club to drain the pond on the 15th has now been turned down. It’s reported that Andy has become the first player in the club’s history the find the water on the 15th from three consecutive tees (14, 15 and 16). A remarkable feat that surely couldn’t be overlooked and not celebrated! His Partner clearly had other ideas though, after dropping him for this week’s fixture. The final match of this week schedule is still awaiting result verification following a series drugs tests that have been instigated. There have also been some serious allegations of match fixing after it was reported irregular betting patterns during the week. The result for the time being will stand (remarkable though it may seem), but Moss and Jones were put to the sword by Shannon and Dootson. The victory has resulted in the bar remaining open for the rest of the afternoon – volunteers required to give the pair a lift home. Next week is the Christmas Competition. If you haven’t put your name down, but wish to play please drop me a line before Wednesday night. Cost is £10 – Food afterwards included and prizes for all. Regards Mike Booth and Richard Blain
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