24 players enjoyed 2 wonderful days at Woodhall Spa despite the less than clement weather.
Heavy rain on Day 1 severely tested the Bracken’s drainage and our wet weather clothing. We were a shade fortunate to be down by just 2.5-3.5 and the Sonning Captain was fairly relaxed. The Petwood Hotel provided a welcome haven and the dinner was first class.
Day 2 on the Hotchkin was dry but a strong wind brought different challenges. Four matches finished on the 18th green and the other two on the 17th, so the result could not have been closer. Sonning had lost one of their players who had more pressing engagements as a Parliamentary candidate with the general election suddenly called. So Captain Tim gallantly offered the services of Brett Wooldridge as Sonning’s 12th man. Despite being 1 down with 2 to play, Brett’s pair pulled off an unlikely win resulting in a 3-3 draw on the Hotchkin and thus Sonning retained the splendid Malcolm Middlemist Comet by 6.5-5.5.
This is a really sociable fixture played among many good friends. The score since the first fixture is now RAFGS has won 7, lost 8 and drawn 3.
Team:
| Tim Evans (C) | Joe Bains | Peter Bedford | Robbie Boyce |
| Jerry Davies | Jeff Glover | Phil Gough | Rick Lipscomb |
| Mark Morton | Graham Pearson | David Walton | Ollie Whyatt |
| Brett Wooldridge |