Team captain Nigel Gaymond reports:

RPGC’s B team in the NAPGC Hawtree mixed competition travelled out to Basingstoke to play their regional final against Portsmouth at the “neutral” venue of Sherfield Oaks Wellington course. 

With the gauntlet well and truly thrown down by Nick’s victorious  A team the week before in their regional final at The Downshire against Wycombe Heights, the pressure was well and truly weighing on the “other” RPGC team! 

The first team out was Angus and Cheryl who once again acquitted themselves admirably in outscoring their opponents 39-31.  In the second game, Uli and Susan scrapped valiantly against a strong performance from their Portsmouth opposition, who included their captain, and trailed by 33-42 giving ‘Pompey’ a single point advantage at the half way point.  The match was essentially decided by an astounding effort from Luke and Caroline who bested their opponents by 46-34 leaving Captain Nigel and Lia to hold the fort in the last match which they duly did in a seesaw game that ended up honours even at 39-39.  The final score was 157-146 and the B team joins the A team leaving RPGC with two teams in the final four Finals, with Cheshunt and Huntswood B joining them, a de facto Surrey v Bucks competition! 

Well done to all and a proud day for the Club with both teams making the National Finals to be held on October 16 at Staverton near Daventry

In fine sunny weather, following the previous day’s continuous heavy rain, RPGC’s A team played host to Easthampstead. Both teams were captained by Zimbabweans, which made way for a lot of pre game reminiscing about the good old days. All four of our pairs performed well, resulting in a final score of 152 versus Easthampstead’s 145. The match was followed with a much appreciated selection of pizzas, courtesy of the club. Good luck to the team for the next match which will be against Huntswood A.

HAWTREE RICHMOND PARK B v SOUTHSEA

RPGC’s B team welcomed Southsea to the Park on a baking Duke’s course with the (over) abundant rough further challenging all the players, leading to a high number of reloads or ‘over to you partner’ comments becoming the norm for the day.  All four pairings outscored their opponents, as we ran out comfortable winners 146-115.  Caroline Stilwell and Luke Baker prevailed 32-30, Susan Smith and Armi Ingratta 35-26, Lia Donath and Nigel Gaymond 38-30, with pride of place going to the lead-off pair Cheryl Woodhouse and Damber Thapa who got things going with a hard-fought performance 41-39 over the Southsea captain’s pair in the lead game.  The team now awaits their next opponent in the regional semi-final in an anticipated home game against Hoebridge A.