A late change in the line up tonight forced upon us: Ian Davidson called away with work, so Paul Souter stepped in.

Alex Dixon played Mark Wharton who had a spell playing for the City a few years ago.

The match was tight all night, but a couple of loose tee shots on 16 & 17 meant a defeat for Alex 2 & 1.

Alex plays in the English Amateur next week: well wish him well.

Andrew Minnikin on his first day out of isolation after suffering with Covid, battled well against another former City player Simon Lee.

The match went to the last with Si 1 up: Andrew hit a lovely shot in leaving himself a decent chance of birdie: Si missed the green with his approach and a poor chip left him about 8 feet short: Andrew left his birdie putt short for a conceded 4: Si holed his par putt to half the hole and win the match 1 up. Good effort from Andrew who was out on his feet at the end.

Phil Ridden suffered a 3 & 2 loss against Cameron Stott, 

Paul Souter was never in the match against Neil Gasgoine the 2 time Scottish Hickory Champion. score 6 & 5

Karl Mossom kept his 'Player of the Year' hopes alive with a 4 & 3 victory over Warren Young.

Zak Laws last out, played European Tour Caddy Michael Burrow:  this time it was Zak 1 up playing the last (the team score 8 - 2 at this stage) Michael hit the green in 2, Zak just short, elected to put: not a great effort left him10 feet short: Michael failed to hole his birdie putt leaving Zak to face his 10 footer for the match which he duly converted.

Final result 8 - 4 defeat.

Not what we were looking for but not disasterous.

We now go into the final 2 games 6 points ahead of Tynemouth, 8 ahead of Tyneside with Northumberland and tonight's oponents 11 back.

Great to see Howard Worley (pictured with Dave Lamb) amonst the lads supporting: many have watched the team for over 40 years1 

Thanks again.

Next week we entertain Morpeth: there'll be a bite to eat after the game, as is the custom for our last home game.

Geoff Davison

Men's Captain