Colin Paddon was partnered by Brian Le Masurier when he took a seniors team to Dainton Park last week, determined to set a good standard for the rest of us, writes Terry Carter.

They did lose the first to a birdie, but won the next when both home players found water with their tee shots, and the game continued in this vein until the thirteenth.

Most of us find this and the next couple of holes a critical point in matchplay, and sure enough our pair fell behind to a fine bunker shot to two feet for a birdie, never recovered, and lost 3 and 2.

Chris Ashley and Ian Brown were next off, with Ashley giving the shots as usual. Dainton’s Peter Kelly caused a stir when he had to be taken to hospital half way round, but we were all grateful to eventually hear that all was well. In better ball games such as these when one player has to retire, the opposing pair normally ease up a bit to ensure just a narrow win.

On this occasion their sole opponent Brian Ainsworth won comfortably 4 and 3. What a remarkable gesture by our pair…if they meant it!

Pop Banfield and Colston Herbert were unlucky to lose their game on the last, which although meaning we could not win the match, at least set a better standard of defeat. Trevor Bradley and I lost our game on the last too, despite leading for most of the round. However this will have thrilled the home pair Peter Taverner and David Rowe.

In the home match in the spring I partnered Brian Le Masurier against the same pair when we had won comfortably, although I think I may have unsettled Taverner by asking him to hold back from a critical putt so I could take his photo for the Herald.

This time I was on my best behaviour, which is more than could be said for my partner, who is noted for disturbing opponent concentration when possible. Nigel Sharp and David Bromage also had another close contest, but this time with one critical incident requiring a steward’s enquiry.

Unfortunately an intelligent steward couldn’t be found, and opinions varied wildly between no penalty, and a lifetime ban for all four players. In any event this game was also lost on the last, but Bob Cook and Brian Cole more accurately followed the example set by our leader when they lost 4 and 2.