When we saw the draw for the Halford Hewitt we were cautiusly optimisitic.  Two the schools that we were to meet had hardly won a match between them over many years of trying; easy meat or that is what we thought.

The first round arrived after a couple of good days practice (on the course and at the bar).  Framlingham, should have been simple opponents but they proved far tougher.  They acquired some new blood for this year’s competition and gave our side a very close game.  Up until the final hole of the last game the match hung in the balance with the fifth pair having been down for most of the match.  It should be noted that Alex Woolley was playing his first match at the Hewitt, and got his first win to boot.  Unfortunately for Charlie Fenton, who was also playing his first Hewitt, the score was not so kind.  Still we won 3/2 so on to the next round.

1. Smith & Spence won 2/1
2. MacKenzie & Woolley won 1up
3. Brett & Evers lost on 19th
4. McIntosh & Fenton lost 2 down
5. Westgarth & McFarland won 1 up

Round two versus Bishop’s Stortford was similarly close.  Our first two pairings came out on top more comfortably than in round one, but Brett and Evers, and McIntosh and Fenton both had heavy losses.  Again we won and so it was round three.

1. Smith & Spence won 4/3
2. MacKenzie & Woolley won 2up
3. Brett & Evers lost 8/6
4. McIntosh & Fenton lost 6/5
5. Westgarth & McFarland won 2/1

First go as captain and I was thinking that perhaps I had beginner’s luck.  For the game against Liverpool we had a reshuffle and a change in pairings with Robert Shaw joining Alistair Brett.  Unfortunately the luck ran out.  Indeed it was a match that could have gone either way with our second and third pairings losing narrowly to very good opposition.  Commiserations go to Charlie Fenton who could not get that first point but I must congratulate Alex Woolley for remaining undefeated in his first Hewitt.  Hopefully this will be a prelude to many more victories in this event.  The side lost 3.5/1.5

1. McIntosh & Fenton lost 6/5
2. Brett & Shaw lost 2/1
3. Smith & Spence lost 2/1
4. MacKenzie & Woolley halved
5. Westgath & McFarland won 4/3

Liverpool lost 3.5 - 1.5 to Sherborne who were beaten 3-2 in the final by Malvern.

My thanks go as always to the team for being there and for making my first stint as captain a reasonably successful one.  I must also make mention of the supporters who cheered us on.  We always appreciate team support and this year we had some good matches for them to enjoy.

Calling old Wreks – your school needs you!

Our team is not getting any younger and we need to keep an eye on the future when some of our more senior members might start to hang up their golf shoes.  We are on the look out for fresh talent to join our squad so if you are a budding Hewitt player, or you know someone who might be (including a current pupil or two who might be a talent for the future), then please feel free to get in touch on the e-mail addresses or contact numbers below.  Old Wrekinian Golf is one of the best ways of playing some of the best courses in the UK and we would be delighted to welcome new team members. 

Thank you to all those who contacted Alistair and me after the last rallying cry; we’d love to hear from anyone who enjoys golf.

Simon Westgarth
Captain

Contact details:
Simon Westgarth (Captain), e-mail westie1965@hotmail.com, tel: 020 8943 9847
Alistair Brett (Secretary), e-mail alix2@msn.com, tel: 01434 601973