Wells had a difficult draw in the first round of the Somerset Bowl; they faced Worlebury, who had won the competition for the last two years.
The venue was Tall Pines, which was in excellent condition and proved to be a very fair and testing examination for both teams. The weather was fair and warmth abounded.
Martin Barnes and Steve Clark took on their number one pair and fought hard, going down 2&1. Pascal Norman and Nick Wilson also succumbed 2&1. The veteran pairing of Glen Crocker and Mike Metcalfe had a fascinating match with the first eight holes all being won by one side or the other, then halves took over before the Wells pair took command and won 2&1.
The new pairing of Nick Carter and Ian Burr had a ding-dong match which finished on the 22nd hole with a Worlebury victory. Bill McCollum and Simon Jackson eventually lost on the 21st hole. Thus Wells lost 4-1, but the scoreline flattered Worlebury and Wells left with their heads held high in defeat.
Wells’ Seniors began their defence of the Somerset Seniors’ Bowl recently with a match against Taunton & Pickeridge at Long Sutton. The course condition left much to be desired, but was equally difficult for both teams.
First out, Glyn Hallett and Steve Rowse were not at their best, going down 5&3. Steve Clark and debutante Colin Mantle steadied the ship with an excellent 2&1 victory.
Dave Hayward and Nick Carter excelled, romping home 4&3, while Bill McCollum and Malcolm Terry had a tussle which they eventually won one-up. Nick Wilson and Glen Crocker contrived to halve their match, but by then it was irrelevant as Wells rolled out 3.5-1.5 winners.
They meet Weston at Worlebury later in June in what is likely to be a sterner examination.
Janice White