2nd team v Suffolk

Most of the team arrived in good time for the practice round on the Saturday at the quirky Diss golf Club, tees and greens in great condition preferred lies on fairways due to ‘the summer we’ve had’.

The luxurious Premier inn greeted us, (I doubt Lenny Henry would stay there).

Fresh from his accident with a pub bench, a sheetless bed and incinerated battered cod, lets just say Mr Dalton's weekend didn’t start so well.

Early start for breakfast as the double booking of the hotel left us 30 miles down the road in Bury St Edmunds.

We welcomed debutants Dan Thomas from Northants County, and Adam Barker from Peterborough Milton.

An imposing par 3 starting hole caused problems for many with a swirling wind, in fact few found the target, 1st pair of Sam Gilkes and James Gardner kept pace with their opponents through 6 holes with birdies from both sides.

2nd pairing Skipper Hawkins and Alec Francis also kept it level after 6 with some steady if not spectacular golf.

Dalton and Barker (not that one) kept the status quo also being all square after 6

Not such good news after 6 for Dan Thomas and Ollie ‘smiler ‘Penberthy 1 hole down .

Not much changed over the next few holes but all changed on the back 9 Both Alec and Ben . and Dalts and Adam succumbed to 4&2 defeats

Sam and James lost narrowly 2&1, Ollie and Dan turned a losing position into a 1 hole win.

3-1 at lunch

Revitalised, the team started brightly with Alec 1st out storming to a 5 hole lead , eventually cruising to a 4&3 win.

Sam Gilkes also steadily built up a commanding lead , 5&3 winner.

Could we turn it around ?

Adam Barker showed nerves of steel , the Peterborough man winning on the last hole 1 up.

Ben Hawkins struggled in the afternoon , steady off the tee but short game disappeared in a 6&5 defeat.

James Gardner could do nothing but admire his opponent as he birdied 6 of the first 10 holes, james fought bravely with a birdie of his own , but too much to catch up resulting in a 6&5 defeat.

Richard Dalton signed off a disappointing weekend both off and on the field, home course knowledge is always a massive plus as his opponent took advantage of this beating Dalts 3&2

Dan Thomas made golf look easy at times securing his 2nd win of the day with a 4&3 win .

Ollie, 2 down with 2 to play won 17, birdied 18 only for his opponent to hole a 6 ft putt for a half and defeat for Ollie .

A disappoint result to end the season 7-5 is nothing to be ashamed of.

Well done to everyone that has had the honour of representing the 2nds this year, hopefully you all return after a winter break that brings you back stronger.

I have enjoyed the year , unfortunately couldn’t make all the games, I hope I didn’t let you all down too much. Many thanks to Botty for all his hard work that goes unnoticed by many. Well done to all at NGL, the hours the officials put in is much appreciated .

Me, I'll spend the winter on a creative writing course, so I can be a bit more Chris White with my reports.