League losses for two Weston teams

WESTON seconds lost a tight Division 7 Bristol and District League match at The Players Club by three matches to two.

Top Weston pairing of Nathan Bateman and Freddie Ferrari gave a great exhibition of ball striking to bring home a 2&1 victory. Ian Freeman and Ian Hudson were not quite on their game and lost their match by 4&3.

Tim Rees and Nigel Browne looked in control of their match at two up after 12, but were pegged back to all square. However, their greater experience eventually saw them defeat their opponents by one up.

Sam Fernley and Pete Blunden were three down early on, but produced a storming comeback to square the match by the turn, but finally went down 4&3. The last pairing of Andy Balcombe and Graham Hicken had a tight game, with only a couple of mistakes at the wrong time cost them dearly and they were defeated by 4&2.

Weston B team’s first Avalon home match of the season was lost 4-1 against Minehead.

In windy conditions, fellow links course specialists Minehead took the spoils in a tightly contested match. Out first was the experienced pairing of vice-captain Steve Corrick and Gary Homer, who lost 3&2.

Andy Skinner and newcomer John Lancaster also lost 3&2.

Newcomers father and son pairing of Dave Radcliffe and Jack managed to win 3&2 which included an eagle two on the fourth hole by Jack.

Captain Andy Balcombe and Graham Hickin lost on the 18th hole in a closely fought match, which included seven birdies, mainly by the opposition. Last out, the competitive pairing of Kenton Simpson and Alan Harris lost 2&1.

? THE seniors at Wedmore were again out enjoying the sunshine playing a yellow ball Bowmaker.

This produced a close finish, but for once countback was not required. Third place went to John Russell, Mike Tanswell and Ray Fisher with 74 points. This was one less than the team of Stephen Lawrence, Tony Roe and Julian Roberts.

Colin Pinks turned up late so he could switch teams to play with Peter Rowntree and Gordon Risk and this strategy worked as the team won with 76 points.

The ladies took part in the captain/pro challenge, but professional Carole Pope was doing her qualifying exams instead. The format, six holes each of better-ball, greensomes and foursomes was retained for the rest of the field.

Third place went to Mary Clark and Aileen Robertson with 36 points, one point less than Jane Midgley and Carol Jackson. Winners with 39 points were the pairing of Margaret Rogers and Maggie Dommett.

The Royal Wedding was celebrated with a nine-hole Bowmaker. Winning team was Angela and Brian Crosby with Sue and Bill Painter who just managed to beat Ann and David Adams and Vera and Tony Ireland on countback.

The weekend saw the A team continue their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 win over Long Sutton. Captain Paul Plume and Steve Heal got the team off to a winning start and despite defeat for Rich Vowles and Bead Ruddick, the other pairs of Brian Warner and Ben Barwell, Geoff Fisher and Graham Sugg and Dominic Smith and Jamie Vowles all won by the narrowest of margins to seal victory.

This was two in a week against Long Sutton as the seniors had also won.

? BREAN’S Avalon League team which play in Division 6 continued their strong start to the season with an emphatic 5-0 win over Frome.

In windy conditions, all the matches ended in favour of the home pairings and with it maximum points on the day.

The seniors’ team were again busy and can report some improving results. First up came a home draw against Minehead Warreners with three games being won by each side.

The following day saw a re-arranged fixture again at home to Woodspring. This match was due to be away but was reversed by their opponents who consequently lost 4-2.

The Super Series was again the card and pencil competition at Brean over the weekend. Division 1 had a close finish as the top three players all handed in 40 points. John Mardon had the better back nine and secured the victory ahead of Roy Baker and Jason Kidley.

Winter League winner Pete Dunn was again in the winners circle in Division 2. His score of 37 points gave him top spot ahead of Jim Wotton on 36. Dale Stock was third on 33.

Brean’s two PGA professionals have been in action again with the G&S PGA and both recorded top four finishes in the final 18 hole medal of the season at Isle of Wedmore.

David Haines was third after his 71, whilst Andrew March was one place further back two strokes behind his colleague. This week sees them both attempt to win the G&S PGA strokeplay title over 36 holes at The Players Club near Bristol.

? THE April monthly medal was a keenly contested affair at Mendip Spring Golf Club with Will Poole, one of the club’s outstanding juniors, playing off a two handicap, being beaten into second place by senior member Mike Dury.

Dury used his 22 handicap to good effect to return a net 65, beating Poole by three shots. In third place on countback was Chris Houghton with a gross score of 74, net 68.

Sue Sokel took the ladies’ medal with a gross 79, net 72. In second place was Sheila Claxton with a net 73.

The men’s Avalon Division 3 team played their first match of the season at home to Brean with the match being halved 2.5-2.5.

? THE final of the Glover Cup at Worlebury, was won by Ken Hanson and Steve Buckley, who beat Chris Mannings Hill and Keith Knight.

The Avalon team played at Burnham, but could only come away with a narrow 3-2 defeat.

The seniors’ also had an away fixture at Enmore, but also came away with a close 4-5-3.5 defeat.