St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

ST EDWARD’S

Squash

In our now traditional bi-annual game against the School 1st IX, four Martyrs (

Craven-Smith

(B, 1984-1989),

Finn Kettlewell

(H, 2009-2014),

Jimmy Lam

(G,

2010-2014) and

David Smart

enjoyed a good contest against Edward Beccle (B), James

Moore-Stanley (H), Jean-Luc Bonnefoy (B), and James Parsonage (B). 25 games of squash

were played using the American scoring system (15 points to win – hand in or hand out).

Richard Howitt (MCR), guested for the 1st IX, having not played for three years. He

had a good contest over three games with David Smart. Ed Craven-Smith, Finn Kettlewell

and Jimmy Lam all played some excellent squash ensuring that the Martyrs came out on

top 16 games to 9. A most enjoyable morning was concluded with an excellent curry

lunch in the Martyrs Pavilion.

David Smart

(C, 1968-1972)

the green in 3. Borrett was faced with a

lightning down-hill, downwind putt. The

ball was well struck but it didn’t want to

stop – rolling by 10 feet. Sutton Valence

missed for par and made 5. The stage was

set for Talbot-Williams to take the match

to extra holes. The 10 footer for a par 4

was back up the hill with a few inches of

break off the left. The putt was well struck

and he made it! With the honour, Talbot-

Williams selected driver and following a

short wait struck a great drive down the

left hand side of the fairway – sending the

ball out some 250 yards. Somewhat fazed,

Sutton Valence also reached for driver

and went after the ball with some equal

determination, but the ball went slightly

right albeit a good distance – well beyond

the fairway bunkers at 250 yards and

dangerously close to the out of bounds.

On arriving where the ball had landed, it

soon became clear that the ball was out

of bounds. The Sutton Valence provisional

ball was within 15 yards of the green so

a regulation four was expected to be

good enough to win. Borrett played an

easy wedge to the green’s centre. Sutton

Valence were unable to get up and down

and Talbot-Williams’ putt was good enough

to be conceded. The Martyrs had won!

In the 2nd Round the Martyrs faced

Lancing. It was to be another close run

match with Smart and Neal playing some

good golf to win the first match 6&5. The

highlight of their match took place on the

par 3 7th. Playing 168 yards, with a half

club wind from behind, Lancing played first

and made a hole in one! Needing an ace

to halve the hole, Smart played a quite

remarkable shot, pitching 10 feet short of

the hole, releasing, taking the break from

the left and then – could you believe it! –

touching the hole only to lip out and finish

6 feet behind the flag – too much pace!

It was to be an expensive hole in one for

Lancing, with 20 thirsty teams waiting in

the clubhouse! Borrett and Talbot-Williams

were unable to repeat their heroics from

the 1st Round, leaving Haig and Ellis to

decide the match against a strong Lancing

pair. A particular highlight was Ellis holing a

15 foot putt on the blind par 3 14th (222

yards) for a birdie two following a well

struck rescue club from Haig. The putt

was good enough to win the hole, bring

the match back to all square and shift the

momentum back in favour of the Martyrs,

who went on to win the 15th as well.

While the match went to the 18th green,

unfortunately it wasn’t going to be our

afternoon with Lancing winning by 1 hole

and therefore the match 2-1.

The Martyrs therefore entered the

Solihull Salver and were drawn with

Birkenhead and Coventry the following

day at Brancaster GC. Thirty-two schools

entered with the four highest scores

qualifying for the Committee Bowl on the

Sunday. We managed a commendable 74

points, with Smart and Neal managing 33

scratch stableford points (which was the

second lowest gross of the day), though

unfortunately this wasn’t quite enough to

qualify.

My heartfelt thanks to the team,

who played fantastically well throughout

the weekend, and the Martyrs who

generously covered the majority of our

expenses. This year’s qualifier will again

be at North Hants GC on Sunday 8th

May, where we hope to qualify for the

finals once again.

Autumn Meeting -

Worplesdon GC

It was the first time the Martyrs have

played at Worplesdon and it proved to be

a great success.

14 OSE played, starting the day with

bacon rolls and coffee before 18 holes

playing 3 ball stableford. Richard Redfern

played very well with some accurate

driving to win the Latham Bowl with 39

points playing off 13. The longest drive

was won by

AndrewWolton

(F, 1988-

1993). The Kitchin Quaich was won by

Peter Neal

. The Autumn Meeting will be

held at Huntercombe GC on Friday 28th

October. Incredible value at just £50.

Peter Neal

(K, 1993-1998)

M A R T Y R S