Ashburnham, the wonderful links course alongside Pembrey sands, was in an excellent overall condition last Saturday. Tenby GC were the visitors and the greens were probably the fastest they had encountered for some years.

There was a slight nip in the air, but the weather was glorious, although a fairly stiff breeze made scoring difficult on some holes.

First out for Tenby were Graham More and Jeff Banfield. They played solid golf and were never behind against young scratch player Elliott Anderson and his partner Justin Nicholas. The visitors claimed a fine two and one win.

Jon Bolter and Neil Thomas fell four and three to the experienced Colin Jones and Ben Thomas, the home pair’s putting being the main difference.

Chris Hughes and Darren Thomas were up for most of their round against Rhys Morgan and Leighton Howells. The game saw 10 birdies and Chris’s putt for a win on the 18th green lipped out and thus the game was halved.

Steve Sutcliffe and Loz Phillips matched Jordan Davies and Alex Gear until losing the 14th and 15th holes. The home pair went on to win three and one.

Lewis Hurlow and Terry Davies were up against Ashburnham skipper Richard Brice and Jim Nugent. The visitors should perhaps have secured a win a few holes previously, but they were one up playing the final hole where the pin was right on the front of the green. Unfortunately, Lewis’s second shot ended up at the back, from where two putts was a very difficult task. Thus, the game ended in another honourable half.

The opening hole at The Ash is a downhill par three which was into the wind. Ashburnham’s Rob Stevens did all but hole his tee shot, the ball finishing just two inches beyond the cup. His partner Martin Timbrell also had a birdie two on the next short hole, the sixth. Tenby’s Viv John and Gary McNeilly held on admirably, but eventually lost two and one.

Martin Morris and Dai Cope were dormie two down against Keith Williams and Neil Roberts. However, their competitive spirit saw them win both of the last two holes for a battling half.

Ian Thomas and Chris Beecher were always in command against Jeff Kavanagh and Rob Saunders. They dovetailed well and were comfortable winners by four and three.

In the final rubber, Tenby’s Neil Webb and his younger partner Alan Sayers, who was making his debut for Tenby, were three down with just four holes to play against Scott Johnston and Paul Anderson. However, the never-say-die spirit of the visitors saw them claw back the deficit for a magnificent half.

Thus, despite two fine wins and four fighting halves, Tenby lost the Dyfed League match by five games to four. This was a creditable result at Ashburnham but, with a little good fortune, it could have been a precious away victory for Tenby.

Tenby’s next match is at Cardigan tomorrow (Saturday) and this will be another very stern test.