On Sunday 27^th May Bedfordshire played their second league game of the season against a very strong B.B. & O. side at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire. A tough day lay ahead with temperatures in the high twenties on a long golf course, made even more testing by the long walks in between holes.

As predicted it was a tough morning with only Blane Breheny and Niall Johnston taking anything from their game. They were one up with two to play, and we we were hopeful of a win but the B.B. & O. pairing made a great birdie on seventeen to tie the game with one to play. Blane and Niall played the last hole well leaving themselves a twelve-footer for a win but unfortunately left it short and they walked off with our only half point of the morning.

In the other three games the B.B. & O. lads always looked comfortable on the course that they used for all their winter training, but the Bedfordshire team struggled with the incredibly slow greens.

In all a very disappointing morning, but the talk was positive at lunch and we were hopeful that we may still get something from the afternoon. Indeed, the early signs in the afternoon singles were promising, after five holes we were only down in two games with the others holding their own or slightly up but things can change very quickly on the golf course.

As the groups made the turn the momentum had moved with the home side and taking three hours for the front nine in sweltering heat made the task even tougher. As the games progressed (very slowly) most of the matches seemed to be slipping away with only Blaine, Niall and Darren looking like they may take something from their games.

Alex Harris, on his first team debut, put up a great fight finally losing out 3 & 2. Blane’s game also slipped away from him 2 & 1.

Niall provided the only full point of the afternoon winning on the last and Darren Close also battled very hard for a half, holing a six-footer on the last after five and a half hours on the course. Yes, it was slow going through no fault of the players on either side, but it was equally slow for both teams.

All in all, not the best of days for Bedfordshire going down 10-2 to a strong B.B. & O. side who handled the course and conditions far better than us.

We look forward to July the 8^th and our next fixture against Middlesex at Sudbury golf club.

Dave Weedon. Team Manager

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