Sat 24th Apr
An excellent report from Will Bain (Captain) on the fortunes of the OHGS team at the Halford Hewitt this year.
This year the team was made up of the following:
- Will Bain (c)
- Cecil Boex
- Charles Holland
- Jamie Warman
- Nick Tindall
- Jerry Fricker
- Steve Posford
- John Frederick
- Lloyd Edwards
- Phil Hill
The few weeks before the event saw a number of injuries and withdrawals. Unfortunately Caspar Hill, Kunal Rawal and Miles Ruffel were all unavailable for selection, which meant some final replacements being required. I am extremely grateful to Steve Posford who was able to be persuaded to come back into the team only a matter of days before the start of the competition. This year also saw the retirement of Ashley Brewer from the Hewitt side after a very long and distinguished Hewitt career.
The last minute team changes meant that we had to try to some new partnerships.
ROUND 1 – HURSTPIERPOINT, RSTG, 1PM Tee off
The first round match was against Hurstpierpoint – on paper, a school that we should have been confident of beating, but given the continuous improvement in the general quality of golf from all 64 schools, the form guide is often unreliable. The pairings and results were as follows:
- Warman and Tindall (won 6&5)
- Hill and Edwards (won 5&4)
- Boex and Holland (won 21st)
- Fricker and Posford (won 19th)
- Bain and Frederick (half on 19th)
After the 10th hole, Harrow were 6up, 4up, 4up, 2up and 3up. Hence, it was all too much of a collapse on the back nine that almost allowed defeat to be snatched from the jaws of victory. Credit went to the top two pairs for playing sensible golf the whole way round, and making sure that the front nine advantage was pressed home.
Whilst the fact that 3 pairs went down 19 undoubtedly gave the team a bit of a shock, the added pressure gave all players concerned a chance to hone their games.
ROUND 2 – MERCHANT TAYLORS’, RSTG, 1PM Tee off
Another early afternoon match meant that we all had plenty of time to practice in the morning. The pairings were the same, although the order tweaked slightly, with the power and might of Bain and Frederick now promoted to first pair. The results were as follows:
- Bain and Frederick (won 19th)
- Warman and Tindall (1 up)
- Hill and Edwards (lost 19th)
- Boex and Holland (lost 5&4)
- Posford and Fricker (Lost 2&1)
This was a rubber that ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon. For much of that time, we looked like we were up against it, trailing in at least three of the five games.
Bain and Frederick were 3 down with 5 to go, and actually played the 18th 1up, before making a hash of the last and being taken down 19. With both drives down the middle at 19, MT’s were unfortunate enough to find the front bunker, where the ball plugged in the face. They went on to make a rather unlucky 7, whilst Harrow held their nerve for a 5 to win.
Warman and Tindall provided the usual dogged determination and grit, winning on 18.
Hill and Edwards had at one point been plain sailing, and rather like the MT’s first pair, had more than their fair share of bad luck down 18 and 19. That said, they had been 5up with 8 to play, before some rather wayward golf meant the game was all square by the 18th tee. Edwards hit a majestic drive down 18, only for the ball to trickle into the middle bunker, leaving Hill no shot for the second. Almost without hitting a bad shot, we took 6 at 18, to match MT’s 6 (who had arguably always been looking second best on the hole). So, to the 19th. Both balls down the middle, and Edwards hit one of the shots of the day, only to see his 6iron approach sail over the flag and the green. MT’s made a good 4 from the left of the green, and Harrow made 5. Desperately bad luck over the last 2 holes, but these are the sorts of the things happen and will make players stronger in the years to come
The Boex and Holland game was altogether less exciting, with MT’s in charge all along
Fricker and Posford did very well to get their game to the 17th, but were just beaten by a better pair on the day
In all, a frightfully disappointing day. With Edwards having had a 5 footer to win the rubber on 18, and then being so unfortunate with two great shots down 19, it was a game that we felt we should have won. One thing is clear though – Harrow’s inability to make any sort of a score down 18 at RSTG. The hole will either have to be dug up and redesigned so that we can play it, or we’ll just have to practice it more. The hole owes us a bit of luck, having disappointed us in so many previous years (nasty 3 putts, duffed chips etc etc)
CONCLUSIONS
In all, as captain, I think this year’s Hewitt proved one thing beyond all doubt – we can very easily win the tournament. MT’s pushed Clifton close in the Third Round, and they went on to win. Even with a team that was missing some of the leading lights, we got so very close which is admirable. I think everyone has gone away a better and more experienced Hewitt player. It does however continue to grate that we continue to lose rubbers that we should, in hindsight, have won.
We have plans in place to target a number of younger players to trial before next year’s competition. I am hoping that Jerry will continue to run the two practice matches at George’s and Deal, and we will look to have a day at Sunningdale in March to trial the actual pairings. Whilst we have unfortunately said goodbye to Brewer, I hope that those plagued by injuries/marriages and ill-timed holidays this year will return next year.
Final thanks also to John Sunley for allowing us to rent his two fantastic flats near the club which makes for such an enjoyable week. Also to the OH supporters on the ground who make such a difference to team morale every year – we look forward to seeing you all again next year
Hopefully I will have more favourable news to report in 12 months’ time!
Will Bain
