Halford Hewitt 2013

Team Captain:  Tim Martin-Jenkins

After a slow start in all matches, Marlborough’s Halford Hewitt team produced an exciting finish at Royal St George’s. Watched by a tremendous turn out of Marlborough supporters, the top pair of Richard Graham and Angus Murray were soon 2 down, but excellent play around the turn unsettled their opponents and the first match went to Marlborough with a 5&4 victory.

James Fletcher and Jim Hewer were never in front against their second pair opponents and despite a comeback, Eton’s sharper short game levelled the match.  In the bottom game Tom Macfarlane and Jack Naylor’s fight back came too late and Marlborough were 2-1 down. David Niven and Justin Rhodes, with a strong record of success in the Hewitt, were one down on the 17^th tee. But Niven holed from off the green for a birdie at the 17^th and a solid par at the 18^th was enough to win by one hole, after Eton took three to get down from the back of the difficult 18^th green.  Watching it all from the 18^th tee, and all square after a miraculous Eton recovery from the rough on the 17^th, Callum McCall’s 3-wood split the fairway, as did Eton’s.  Both Eton’s and Michael Griffiths’ approach shots fell into the dip on the left of the 18^th green, leaving very tricky approach putts. Eton got down in two and Marlborough in three. It was an exciting day that only gave sunshine, lark song and hope for a short time before a cold fret dampened proceedings.

Eton went on to win the 2013 Halford Hewitt, beating Stowe, Clifton, Radley and Epsom on the way and Tonbridge in the final (http://www.halfordhewitt.com/)

The Plate

On Friday, we played well in windy conditions at Prince's to beat last year's Plate finalists, Hurstpierpoint, 2½ to ½ with 4/3 wins from both Graham and Murray, and Niven and Rhodes, making the final match, which was all square at the 15^th green, a half for Foster & McCall.

On Saturday, we came up against a strong Merchiston team.  Our top pair were all square at the 18^th, but behind them Niven and Rhodes were beaten 2/1 for the first time since 2010, and our young pair of Foster and McCall gained fantastic experience but were outplayed to lose 4/3.

We had great team spirit and enjoyed the competition. As always we could have done better if our short games had been sharper. Next year we must aim to practise all those difficult shots around links greens, in particular putting up and over from those endless swales that gather less than perfect length approaches.

Thanks for all the support

Tim Martin-Jenkins
April 2013